A Night at the Opera with Mozart's Magic Flute

I think it is time for the Berkeley Center to break the silence and post a blog...

We thought to tell you about our night at the Opera when we went to see the Mozart's Magic Flute on October 31st.

Our event organizer, Ralph, got us a great group discount and we found ourselves at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, a beautiful theater built in 1932.

San Francisco Opera House

The Magic Flute is a captivating tail of different paths that exist and the outcomes of each path. It was amazing to see the things we learn in gnosis represented in such a popular opera. The Magic Flute is full of esoteric symbology that relates to the tests and trials of the esoteric path.

The Magic Flute libretto

The libretto was written by Emanuel Schikaneder, who was a German impresario, dramatist, actor, and
singer. Schikaneder was also an artistic associate of Ludwig van Beethoven. The music was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Mozart and Schikaneder were Masons and Lodge Brothers. The basic plot of the Magic Flute is twofold – one of Tamino – the main hero – who walks the spiritual path, endures tests and tribulations, and eventually finds true love and is united with the Brotherhood of Sarastro – wise priest of Isis and Osiris. The other is the tale of Papageno – Tamino’s companion, who does
not have the strength to endure, and lives an ordinary life of maintenance and egos.

There are some major symbols from the path that are incorporated in this opera. Tamino – the main character – is attacked by the undefeatable serpent of lust. He is then tricked by the dark side (The Queen of the Night) over and over again, who tries to have him bring another victim to them (Pamina) from the spiritual side or white lodge, insisting that they are dark.

No pictures allowed inside, so this is as far as we can take you with the camera.

In his quest for truth, Tamino walks along with a companion, Papageno. Papageno is a birdcatcher, whose job it is to catch lovely birds and hand them over to the Queen of the Night in exchange for food and wine.

Pamina is held captive by the evil Monostatos and his slaves – who demand her love.

Tamino and Papageno quest to save Pamina and they are helped along by Sarastro, Priest of Isis and Osiris, who represent the White Lodge.

Sarastro has mercy on Pamina - because all she searches for is the Truth. Sarastro alone cannot set her free from Monostatos and his slaves. They can only be set free through True Love and enter the temple of Ordeal.

There, Tamino and Pamina undergo trials by silence, fire and water and come out victorious with the help of the magic flute – a symbol for alchemy.

At the same time Papageno is also thrown trials – and at every turn – gives into weakness and temptation. He does not have the endurance to withstand the obstacles. All Papageno wants is a simple life with wine and children. Out of mercy – he is granted his wish - a wife that will give him a family.

The opera ends with the Gods uniting Tamino and Pamina for enduring their trials and cast the Queen of the Night and the Black Lodge out.

Anne Linn, Kevin, Silvia, Ralph, Robert, Geraldine and Lucia ready to be inspired by the Magic Flute.

If you have a chance we highly recommend this Opera to you. It is very inspiring and strengthening to see the Work represented in the Arts. If you don't think this opera will come to you, try watching it on DVD, but get Ingmar Bergman's adaptation because others often miss symbols or things are changed.

This weekend we are getting ready to see Mozart's Requiem concert...we are all looking forward to it.

The Berkeley Center.