The Magic Flute...

[sandyRoe]

Would a copy of the libretto in English add to ones enjoyment of an opera?
I like listening to this one and don't know what they're talking, and singing, about.

[Zacs-Master]

This any good?
http://www.musicwithe...c-flute-synopsis.html

[Zacs-Master]

Or this?
http://www.bslopera.c...Flute_Study_Guide.pdf

[sandyRoe]

"The libretto to "The Magic Flute" is considered such a jumble of nonsense that it..."
Maybe. I'll read it later. Thank you.

[FredPuli43]

If you go posh, The Royal Opera Houses has surtitles for opera, so you can follow. Otherwise,and elsewhere, the programme should give you a scene by scene description of what goes on and point out what the arias mean.

The English libretto of any opera is usually a masterpiece of clumsy, laughable English, and a long way from poetry; that's quite apart from the story !

[Jumbo747]

If you go super-posh (!) Glyndebourne has also installed a surtitle facility now.

[FredPuli43]

I'm waiting for surtitles in ballet. Could do with a running commentary.By the time the scene has been running for two minutes, I've quite forgotten which peasant is meant to be a lord in disguise, and why, or who the hell the owl is meant to be. They don't like you reading the programme with a torch.

[Mrsspagnoli57]

If you can try to watch the Metropolitan Opera House production sung in English. Its often on Sky Arts 2 and can be bought on DVD. The stage designs by Julie Taymor are fabulous and Nathan Gunn makes an athletic and funny Pappageno. It is a 'fantasy' opera.