The Magic Flute and Bells – New York New York

I have never seen an opera before, and I guess I never really knew what goes on in an opera. I always thought in operas, it would be one person or multiple people singing, I never knew an opera actually tells a whole story. I was actually really surprised and confused, when we were assigned to read the Libretto for Die Zauberflöte. I did not realize the Libretto was like the script/lyrics for the opera.

The beginning of the Magic Flute, reminded me of Greek mythology with Prince Tamino and the three Ladies. Whenever there are three mischievous ladies, I always think of the three women in Hercules, the Grey Sisters. After reading the Libretto, I thought it was a cute love story, but a little cliché because it was a typical love story where everyone ended up with a partner. I did like how Pamina’s mother, the Queen turned out to be evil, which made the opera a little bit more exciting. When I was reading the Libretto, and I got to the part when Papageno saved Princess Pamina first, I actually thought they would fall in love, and it would be a whole love triangle and conflict between Prince Tamino, Papageno, and Princess Pamina. Which reminded me of our class discussion on Monday, and how many of us thought there would be a love triangle in the play, On the Town. This really proves that people today might prefer a more complex stories with surprises and climax. However, I always enjoy a happy ending and I thought it was adorable that Papageno ended up with a wife too, and especially thought it was cute that her name was Papagena and they talked having lots of little Papagenos and Papagenas.

As I was reading the Libretto, I kept seeing the word “aria” and I had no clue what it meant, but then I saw there was a link under the reading that goes to a video explaining what an aria was. After watching the video, it made a lot more sense and now I know one opera term. I am so glad that we were assigned to read the Libretto pre-hand before we see the opera next week because I did not understand a word when I was watching Tamino’s aria. I was not even sure if Tamino was speaking English at first. Now I know during an opera, the audience really has to pay attention and listen carefully. At least, all of us will know the story before going to the opera next week. I seen little bits of people singing opera, and I always wonder if they are singing in English or in another language. Although, I cannot always understand the opera singers, I still think their voices are amazing and I will never understand how a person can sing like that.

Beatrice Margolin says:

October 8, 2014 at 1:43 pm

I liked your statement that the opera evoked a feeling of Greek mythology, though I especially loved your comparison of it to “Hercules.” I agree with many of your points: I liked that the story was more simple than anticipated, though I did imagine a more complex plot as well. I like how you connected this with our class discussion about “On the Town” and modern expectations of plot. I personally do not believe a simple plot means it is inherently a bad one, and I truly found this libretto a joy to read. It was refreshing to read something with a happy ending as it allowed me a break from the age of cynicism we live in.

layanahnsouli says:

October 8, 2014 at 2:03 pm

Like you, I also learned a lot from reading the libretto of “The Magic Flute.” However, I was actually pleasantly surprised by the depth of its plot line. I definitely enjoyed the connection you made to Hercules. That being said, I am excited to see this opera live!

Sydney Marino says:

October 8, 2014 at 7:24 pm

I am really excited as well to be seeing this Opera. It is my first too! I really do agree that people, now a days, look for more conflict in a love story. Looking back, I realized that over the course of many books I have read I always wanted a happy ending for the characters. Now I have been presented with TWO works of art, with happy endings, and I was nothing with cynical. Shows how I can never be happy with books or art! I didn’t see the reference at first with the three ladies and Hercules. But after reading what you said, I totally can see it. Now all I can picture is the three ladies fighting over the eyeball in Hercules. Yeesh!

nicholasleung says:

October 9, 2014 at 11:19 pm

It’s funny how you went on a hunt across the Internet to learn about all the operatic terms, because that was the same for me! But now that I understand the art more, it’s become a lot more pleasurable. I love your analysis of Papageno’s happy ending. If there’s any character that deserves a happy, jovial life, it would definitely be him. It makes me wonder though: what if the two protagonists failed? Would Papageno still be the comic relief, or would he be thrown into depression like Tamino would? Would he stay with Tamino at all, or abandon his struggle for good? We may never know, because the actual ending is a LOT happier!