From one of the best known classical composers of his time, _[The Magic
Flute](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-magic-flute/) (Die Zauberflöte) _was the
last opera completed by [Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart](https://www.eno.org/composers/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) before his
untimely death aged 35. Featuring one of Mozart’s most recognisable pieces of
music, [The Queen of the Night’s Act II aria ‘Der Hölle
Rache’](https://www.eno.org/collections/queen-of-the-night-aria-from-mozarts-
the-magic-flute/), keep reading to find out more about this much-loved opera
classic.
## It’s a Singspiel opera
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/ojK7Or4o9uM?feature=oembed)
Video
##
A German language comic opera with singing and dialogue, Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart and librettist Emanuel Schikaneder decided that Singspiel would best
suit their brand new opera. Like most Singspiel operas, _The Magic Flute (Die
Zauberflöte)_ features comedy, magic and fantastical creatures.
This timeless opera follows the adventures of Prince Tamino and Papageno on
their search for the Queen of the Night’s daughter, Pamina. To help them
conquer the trials and tribulations faced on their quest, the duo are given
magical musical instruments, including a magic flute.
[Read the full synopsis](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-magic-flute/)
## It was Mozart’s last great work
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHULoKdO380?feature=oembed)
Video
##
In 1781 Mozart moved to Vienna where he embarked on the most productive and
successful period of his life. It was in this decade he wrote the majority of
his famous works, including operas: [_The Marriage of
Figaro_](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-marriage-of-figaro/), [ _Don
Giovanni_](https://www.eno.org/operas/don-giovanni/), and [_Così fan
tutte_](https://www.eno.org/operas/cosi-fan-tutte/). Just three months before
his untimely death, aged 35, Mozart completed _The Magic Flute_ and _The
Clemency of Titus (La clemenza di Tito)_ but his _Requiem_ was left
unfinished.
It has been said, on the night of his death, the delirious composer envisioned
himself at that night’s performance of _The Magic Flute._ Then, he spoke his
last words: ‘Silence! Silence! Now Hofer is taking her high B-Flat’. It was at
that exact time that his very first Queen of the Night, [Josepha
Hofer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josepha_Weber), was singing the Queen of
the Night aria (‘Der Hölle Rache’).
[Learn more about Mozart](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/beginners-guide-
mozart/)
## It features one of Mozart’s most famous songs
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/jvtGRfI9Eok?feature=oembed)
##
The Queen of the Night’s Act II aria from the opera, ‘Der Hölle Rache’ is most
of Mozart’s most recognisable pieces of music. Best-known for the fast
repetition of a high C and reaching several top F’s, this aria challenges even
the best sopranos. Mozart wrote the role for his sister-in-law, Josepha Hofer.
The soprano clearly thrived singing the demanding, and hair-raising,
[coloratura](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/opera-glossary/#C), singing
the role for ten years, finally stepping down in 1801, aged 43.
The aria comes as the vengeful Queen demands her daughter, Pamina to plunge a
knife into the heart of her rival, the sorcerer Sarastro. Watch [Rainelle
Krause](https://www.eno.org/artists/rainelle-krause/) sing the Queen of the
Night aria with the[ ENO Orchestra](https://www.eno.org/about/eno-orchestra/).
[Discover Mozart’s most famous compositions](https://www.eno.org/discover-
opera/mozarts-famous-music-start/)
## It is filled with hidden masonic symbolism
##
Both Mozart and librettist Emanuel Schikaneder were members of the same
Masonic lodge, resulting in a great deal of speculation about the hidden
masonic symbols in the opera.
It is no coincidence that the original production of _The Magic Flute_ was
set in Egypt, the land of which Masonry traces its origins. It has also been
said that Mozart intended the piece to be a dramatic interpretation of a
Masonic initiation ceremony. This theory is fanned by the fact that Tamino has
to undergo a series of trials in the opera, similar to what Masons of the day
would have done to join the brotherhood.
## A five star production from Simon McBurney
##
Actor, writer and director, [Simon
McBurney](https://www.eno.org/artists/simon-mcburney/) is the founder of the
theatre company
[Complicité](http://www.complicite.org/productions/TheMagicFlute). He recently
had success with _The Encounter_ at the Barbican, and has had roles in _Harry
Potter_ and _Mission Impossible_.
Due to it’s popularity, McBurney’s magical production of Mozart’s classic
opera has return to the London Coliseum multiple times. It delighted audiences
with the inventive staging, using props and projections to create the
enchanted world in which the opera is set, and for his unusual Orchestral
arrangement – the ENO Orchestra play on a stage-level platform, elevating them
out of the usual pit.
Related Content: The beginner’s guide to Mozart; Related Content: Mozart’s Most Famous Music: Where to Start