"THE MAGIC FLUTE" ORIGINAL PRODUCTION
by Judith Eckelmeyer

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​Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Drawing of Mozart in silverpoint, made by Dora Stock during Mozart's visit to Dresden, April 1789.

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​​Librettists: Emanuel Schikaneder, Karl Ludwig Giesecke, and likely others. 
​Libretto published 1791 by Ignaz Alberti, Vienna

Emanuel Schikaneder circa 1784

Karl Ludwig Giesecke

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​Location: Theater auf der Wieden, outside the walls of Vienna

Theater auf der Wieden

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Date of Premiere: September 30, 1791

Playbill for Original Production

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Stage Director: Karl Ludwig Giesecke

Portrait of Carl Ludwig Giesecke by Sir Henry Raeburn, ca. 1813

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CHARACTERS AND PERFORMERS IN THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION
 
Sarastro (bass), leader of the Initiates in the Temple of Isis and Osiris: Franz Xaver Gerl

Tamino (tenor), a prince:  Benedikt Schack
            
Speaker in the Temple of Wisdom (bass): Mr. Winter

First Priest in the Temple of Wisdom (bass): Urban Schikaneder (elder brother of Emanuel)

Second Priest in the Temple of Wisdom (tenor): Johann Michael Kistler

Third Priest in the Temple of Wisdom (speaking role): Christian Hieronymus Moll

Queen of the Night (soprano): Josepha Hofer, sister of Mozart’s wife Constanze

Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night (soprano): Anna Gottlieb

First Lady (soprano): Miss Klöpfer

Second Lady (soprano): Miss Hofmann

Third Lady (alto): Elizabeth Schack, wife of Benedikt Schack

Papageno (baritone): Emanuel Schikaneder

An Old Woman (Papagena) (soprano): Barbara Gerl, wife of Franz Xaver Gerl

Monostatos, Pamina’s overseer in Sarastro’s realm (tenor): Johann Joseph Nouseul

First Slave: Karl Ludwig Giesecke (aka Georg Metzler)

Second Slave: Wilhelm Frasel

Third Slave: Johann Nikolaus Starke

First Boy (soprano): Anna (Nannette) Schikaneder, Urban’s daughter

Second Boy (soprano): Young Tuscher      
  
Third Boy (alto): Young Handelgruber
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Chorus of Slaves, Priests, and Followers of Sarastro

                                                                                                                                                                                         Judith Eckelmeyer ©2015​