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“I am the queen <strong>of</strong> the night!<br />
Read this book....if you know<br />
what’s good for you!”<br />
Understanding opera is not that difficult – even<br />
though there are people singing really loud, without<br />
microphones, <strong>of</strong>ten in a different language. Here is a<br />
brief introduction to opera with four simple steps to<br />
help you follow along.<br />
<strong>Opera</strong>s can be grouped into two very broad<br />
categories: comic and serious. The Magic Flute<br />
is unique because it contains both comic and<br />
serious themes.<br />
The plots, or stories, <strong>of</strong> many operas center on<br />
love, with characters falling in love, out <strong>of</strong> love, or<br />
both. In The Magic Flute, noble characters like a<br />
prince and a princess fall in love just like anyone<br />
else.<br />
In most operas, either a soprano (soh-PRAHno),<br />
the highest female voice range or a mezzosoprano<br />
(MET-zo soh-PRAH-no), the middle<br />
female voice range, are in or out <strong>of</strong> love with a<br />
tenor (TEH-nohr), the highest male voice range.<br />
If someone tries to help the soprano and tenor<br />
(or tries to make things difficult), it is usually a<br />
baritone (BEAR-ih-tone), the middle male voice<br />
range. And, in many operas, the bad guy (or<br />
father figure, or silly man, or wise person) is<br />
played by the lowest male vocal range – a bass<br />
(BASE).<br />
eh hem.....me me me me me<br />
The Magic Flute also includes a character named<br />
The Queen <strong>of</strong> the Night. The Queen <strong>of</strong> the Night<br />
is a coloratura soprano (co-loh-rah-TOO-rah soh-<br />
PRAH-no). A coloratura soprano must have great<br />
vocal agility and might be frivolous, funny, or even<br />
crazy. In The Magic Flute, the Queen <strong>of</strong> the Night<br />
is crazy for revenge!<br />
So, how will this help you understand the plot <strong>of</strong><br />
Mozart’s The Magic Flute?<br />
• The Magic Flute is a love story.<br />
• The tenor (Tamino) falls in love with a soprano<br />
(Pamina). The baritone (Pagageno) is a kind<br />
man who helps the tenor and the soprano while<br />
searching for his own true love (Papagena – a<br />
soprano). The bass is a wise priest (Sarastro) who<br />
helps the tenor, soprano, and baritone throughout<br />
the opera. The coloratura soprano (The Queen <strong>of</strong><br />
the Night) simply wants revenge.<br />
• The Magic Flute is both funny (when Papageno is<br />
on stage) and serious (when Tamino, Pamina, The<br />
Queen <strong>of</strong> the Night, and Sarastro are on stage).<br />
Confused? Keep reading and the story <strong>of</strong> The Magic<br />
Flute will give you more details.<br />
Book your next birding adventure with me!<br />
With bread to share, and flute in hand<br />
my tour’s unlike anything in the land!<br />
Papageno<br />
experienced guide and owner<br />
3
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