The Magic Flute - Mozart's Masonic Journey - A Special Presentation

Event Description

One of the most beloved operatic masterworks of all time is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ (German: Die Zauberflöte), K. 620. It is an opera for audiences of any age, and was written in a popular style known as a Singspiel, which included both singing and spoken dialogue. The original work was a collaboration between Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder, who wrote the libretto and in whose theatre in Vienna it had its premiere on September 30, 1791.

Mozart and Schikaneder were both Freemasons and lodge brothers, as was the engraver and printer of the first libretto – Ignaz Alberti. Perhaps as a result, The Magic Flute is known to have prominent Masonic elements. The story itself portrays the education of mankind, progressing from chaos, through religious superstition, to rationalistic enlightenment.

Last year Premiere Productions Ottawa created a unique concert performance, presented in German but with a special, innovative twist. Assisted by Ill. Bro. Alan Douglas Arbuckle 33°, an English narration was especially prepared to chart the Masonic mysteries hidden throughout the story, from Papageno's shenanigans through Tamino's and Pamina's trial by water, fire, and air; demonstrating how Mozart and Schikaneder set forth in operatic terms, the various steps Masonic initiates take on their journey towards enlightened understanding. It is Mozart’s Masonic Journey.

On January 28 & 30, 2016, The Toronto Sovereign Chapter of Rose Croix will remount this production at the York Masonic Temple, 1100 Millwood Road, Toronto to coincide with its Ballot Night. The performance is open to the public, and marks the 225th anniversary of the premiere of ‘The Magic Flute’, and the 260th anniversary of Mozart’s birth – January 27, 1756.