A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Zauberflöte, Die
ZAUBERFLOTE, DIE, i.e. The Magic flute. Mozart's last opera, in two acts. The book was by Schikaneder and was first proposed to Mozart early in 1791; the music was written partly in a 'garden pavilion' close to the theatre, and partly in the Casino at Josephsdorf on the Kahlenberg. It was produced at the Theatre auf der Wieden, Vienna, Sept. 30 of the same year (by which time the Requiem was begun), and had not at first a great success; but this soon altered, and by Oct. 12, 1795, it had been performed at the one theatre 200 times. The overture was as usual written last—with the march. Mozart was a great Freemason, and the work is said to abound with Masonic indications, especially in the noble trombone chords which should not be 'tied'; and elsewhere throughout the opera.[1] A likeness has been discovered between the subject of the Allegro and that of a sonata of Clementi's once played by Clementi to the emperor in Mozart's presence; and it has certainly a curious resemblance to an overture by Collo of 1779.[2] The air 'Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen' is taken from the two last lines of the chorale 'Nun lob mein Seel den Herren.' The melody sung by the men in armour is that of another much older chorale, 'Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein,' with a closing phrase added by Mozart. [See Appendix, Ach Gott.]
In Paris, 'arrangé par Lachnitch,' as 'Les Mystères d'Isis,' Aug. 20, 1801. [See Lachnith.] In London, in Italian, as 'Il Flauto Magico,' at the King's Theatre, for Naldi's benefit, June 6, 1811; in German, at Covent Garden, May 27, 1833; in English, as 'The Magic Flute,' Drury Lane, Mar. 10, 1838.[ G. ]