Music Friday Prompt #4 “Queen of the Night” from The Magic Flute by Mozart

Happy Friday everyone! Thought I’d follow Steampunk with Opera–but not just any opera. The song comes from “The Magic Flute” by Mozart, his last opera written and performed before his death in December 1791. The world premire of Mozart’s last opera was on September 30th, 1791.

According to Mr. Rahim from The Telegraph:

A serpent is attacking Prince Tamino, the hero, when three ladies appear from nowhere and save him…These ladies claim to work for the Queen of the Night, whose daughter Pamina has been kidnapped by the evil Sarastro. When Tamino sees her picture he breaks into one of those heart-melting arias (Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön: “This image is enchantingly lovely”) that Mozart seems to have been able to conjure with ease. When we meet the Queen she gives Tamino a magic flute to aid him on his quest.

That’s only the beginning of Tamino and Pamina’s troubles. The scene you are about to hear still sends chills run over my body each time the Queen– well I’ll let you see and hear for yourself.

Note: There is a few lines of dialogue in German before the Queen sings. Bonus points if you could translate them 🙂

If you would like more information about The Magic Flute, check out The Houston Grand Opera-created study guide or Aria Database for a more direct translation.

Enjoy!

O zittre nicht - Queen of the night's aria from Die Zauberflöte

O zittre nicht, mein lieber  Sohn!.		O tremble not, my dear son.
Du bist unschuldig, weise, fromm;		You are innocent, wise, and pious;
Ein Jüngling so wie du 				A  youth such as you
vermag am besten				Must do his best
Dies tiefbetrübte				This deeply troubled	
Mutterherz  zu trösten.				Mother¹s heart to comfort.

Zum Leiden bin ich auserkoren,			To suffer I have been selected,
Denn meine Tochter fehlet mir;			For my daughter is gone from me;
Durch sie ging all mein Glück verloren,	       	Through her has all my fortune been lost,
Ein Bösewicht entfloh mit ihr.			A scoundrel has fled with her.
Noch seh ich sie zittern			Still I see her trembling
Mit bangem Erschüttern,				With  fearful shaking,
Ihr ängstliches Beben,				Her frightened quaking,
Ihr schüchternes Streben.			Her timid effort.
Ich musste sie mir rauben sehen,		I had to see her stolen from me,
Ach, helft!  ach helft! 			Ah, help!  Ah, Help! 
War alles, was sie sprach.      		Was all she said.
Allein vergebens war ihr Flehen,		Alone, in vain was her entreaty,
Denn meine Hilfe war zu schwach.		For my help was too weak.

Du, du, du wirst sie zu befreien gehen,		You, you, you, will go to set her free,
Du wirst der Tochter Retter sein.		You will the daughter¹s savior be.
Und werd' ich dich als Sieger sehen,		And should I see you as victor,
So sei sie dann auf ewig dein.			May she be then forever yours.

literal translation by Lea F. Frey (blfrey@earthlink.net)

Use the above song as inspiration for any form of creative expression (including but not limited too short stories, poems, lyrics, artwork, photography, covers, music/dance videos etc.)

Alternatively,

If you are a musician use this as an opportunity to showcase your own work.

You have 1 week to complete this challenge.

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About Rose

I am... brazen, independent, vivid, resourceful, professional, reader of multiple books at a time, intermittent Spanish student, music lover, inspiration finder, Caver, proud of my children, breathing..

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