The Magic Flute

Mozart’s The Magic Flute—his last opera to be produced before his untimely death at age 35—is a remarkable combination of musical and dramatic styles, from the earthly to the otherworldly. The story begins as a magical rescue mission, a plot outline that would have been familiar to Viennese audiences of the popular theater, but soon transforms into a fable of enlightenment and humanity. With its narrative of inner development and illumination, The Magic Flute imagines a world of peace, brotherhood, and love.

This Live in HD production, originally broadcast in 2006, presents the opera in an abridged, English-language version of the production by Julie Taymor, the award-winning director of theater, opera, and film. Taymor seeks to remain true to the fairy-tale aspect of the story while revealing what she calls its “darker face, the one that is hidden in the innocent shell of the unruly libretto but apparent in the exquisite subtlety of the music.” In developing the colorful visual style of her production, she was inspired by the image of the kaleidoscope, which she sees as an ideal way to express “both the exterior and inner landscapes of The Magic Flute.” Taymor’s whimsical production magnifies the opera’s emotional threads, highlights its humor, and captures the ethereal nature of Mozart’s music.

This guide is intended to help students appreciate the opera within the context of 18th-century politics, philosophy, and musical style. By studying the plot’s themes of enlightenment in relation to the Age of Reason, students will discover some of the elements that make The Magic Flute not only a product of its age but also an enduring masterwork of the operatic canon. The activities on the following pages are designed to provide context, deepen background knowledge, and enrich the overall experience of this Live in HD transmission.

Included in the 2015-16, 2019-20, 2023-24, and 2024-25 seasons of HD Live in Schools.