26 March 2019
Throughout human history, the number 3 has always had a unique significance, but why?
The ancient Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, postulated that the meaning behind numbers was deeply significant. In their eyes the number 3 was considered as the perfect number, the number of harmony, wisdom and understanding. It was also the number of time – past, present, future; birth, life, death; beginning, middle, end – it was the number of the divine. Three is often the magic number in fairy tales and this certainly rings true in our ‘visually sumptuous’ (Wales Arts Review) production of Mozart’s beloved The Magic Flute.
Our prince charming Tamino is rescued from a big orange lobster by Three Ladies – servants of the Queen of the Night - dressed as nannies or governesses, marking the beginning of his journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. During his quest he is guided by Three Boys who lead him to Sarastro’s temple (the spirits only appear in Sarastro’s kingdom).
The number 3 is also associated with the Freemasons, of which Mozart and his librettist Schikaneder were members, and the theme of 3 appears repeatedly in the piece – both on stage and in the pit.
The opera’s opening overture is written in Eb Major, which has 3 flats, and it begins with 3 chordal gestures, imitating the secret knock that masons would have used in Vienna at the time to gain access to their Lodges.
Our irresistible production was designed by Julian Crouch and he emphasised the magical number by having 3 doors in each of the set’s 3 walls. Strength, beauty and wisdom also symbolize the 3 great pillars of the Lodges. Inscriptions upon the 3 temples refer to Nature, Reason and Wisdom, also of Masonic origin. To the Viennese of that day, political symbolism was easily and broadly interpreted; they saw the opera's Queen of the Night as no one other than their own Empress Maria Theresa, the hero Tamino was seen to be the “good” Emperor Joseph and the heroine Pamina was the Austrian people itself.
Pythagoras believed that the number 3 stood for good fortune and following recent reviews for our revival production, we agree. Described by the critics as ‘an unabashedly entertaining evening of operatic pantomime’ (Bachtrack), don’t miss our re-telling of Mozart’s coming of age story at a theatre near you this Spring Season.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of classical music, particularly the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the profound significance of the number 3 in the context of Mozart's opera, "The Magic Flute." My understanding is not merely theoretical but grounded in historical and musical evidence, enabling me to unravel the intricate layers of symbolism woven into this timeless masterpiece.
The association of the number 3 with profound meaning traces back to ancient Greek philosophy, notably the teachings of Pythagoras. In his philosophical musings, Pythagoras attributed deep significance to numbers, considering 3 as the perfect number associated with harmony, wisdom, and understanding. This belief resonates in various aspects of human history, including the realms of art and storytelling.
In the case of Mozart's "The Magic Flute," the thematic prominence of the number 3 is evident in multiple dimensions. The narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of triads, representing time in its tripartite form—past, present, future; birth, life, death; beginning, middle, end. This trinity is not arbitrary but deeply ingrained in the fabric of the divine, reflecting the ancient understanding of the mystical power of the number 3.
Moreover, the opera's connection to Freemasonry, a fraternal organization that Mozart and his librettist Schikaneder were part of, adds another layer to the significance of 3. The use of 3 in the staging, the musical composition, and the symbolism within the opera is a deliberate nod to Masonic principles. From the opera's overture written in Eb Major with 3 flats to the presence of 3 doors in each of the set's 3 walls, the meticulous integration of the number 3 serves as a homage to the Freemasons.
Julian Crouch's brilliant set design further amplifies the magical allure of the number 3, with three doors adorning each of the set's three walls. This not only emphasizes the aesthetic appeal but also symbolizes the three great pillars of the Masonic Lodges—strength, beauty, and wisdom. The inscriptions upon the three temples within the opera refer to Nature, Reason, and Wisdom, aligning with Masonic origins and further solidifying the thematic importance of the number 3.
Beyond the musical and visual elements, the Viennese political landscape of Mozart's time lends an additional layer of interpretation to the opera. The characters and events are seen as reflections of the political figures of the era, with the Queen of the Night representing Empress Maria Theresa, Tamino as Emperor Joseph, and Pamina as the Austrian people.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge and expertise allow me to unravel the intricate connections between Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and the profound significance of the number 3. From Pythagorean philosophy to Masonic symbolism and political allegory, the opera weaves a complex tapestry that speaks to the universal and timeless appeal of this magical number in human understanding and expression.
