O Isis & Osiris

Description

The Magic Flute is Mozart’s penultimate opera. It is a singspiel, a type of comic opera which utilizes spoken dialogue in addition to recitatives, arias, ensembles and choruses. As is often the case in comic opera, the plot is convoluted, with many twists and turns. In addition, it is rife with Masonic symbolism (Mozart and the librettist were both members of the Masonic order.) It is one of Mozart’s most popular operas.

It would be good for the students to research the plot of the opera and to familiarize themselves with the high ideals and human values imbedded in the work.

The high priest Sarastro’s aria, which comes near the beginning of Act II of the opera, is sung in the priests temple. It is one of two arias in the opera for Sarastro, who is a basso. The aria is a plea to the gods to help the two lovers (who are the opera’s central characters) be successful in their tests for matrimony. This majestic and expressive aria works very well as a solo for multiple contrabasses-the more, the merrier.

In presenting this arrangement in concert, I suggest that the basses be placed in a line in front of the orchestra, and that they play standing-the traditional solo position. A rich, focused tone is appropriate for this piece, with more intensity added for the highest dynamic levels. It is essential that the orchestra play very softly, always staying under the basses dynamically, but still playing with an expressive style. The fingerings provided in the parts will produce a more musical result, with the side benefit of making players more familiar with intermediate positions.

Published by: String Instrument Specialists