Mozart’s The Magic Flute: Ricordi Vocal Score
This Ricordi edition presents Mozart’s “Il flauto magico,” also titled “Die Zauberflöte” and known in English as “The Magic Flute.” Vocal parts appear above a piano reduction, with Italian and German text. The illustrated softcover belongs to the Ricordi Opera Vocal Score Series.
The white cover combines red title lettering with a colourful architectural street scene featuring a horse-drawn carriage. Inside, clearly printed music shares the page with bilingual dialogue and stage directions. Parallel introductory pages organise the work in both languages.
Opera in Two Acts
The title pages identify the opera in two acts and name Emanuel Schikaneder as its librettist. Giovanni Trampus is credited with the Italian translation from German. A revised and corrected edition statement bears the date 1959.
The contents cover the overture and musical numbers across both acts. Arias, duets, ensembles, choruses and finales are arranged within the voice-and-piano format. Character lists identify the principal roles and their vocal categories in Italian and German.
The German contents include “Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja,” “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” and “Der Hölle Rache.” “In diesen heil’gen Hallen” also appears among the Act II numbers. Their Italian counterparts are listed on the facing contents page.
Voice and Piano Layout
The printed score places individual vocal lines above the piano accompaniment. Italian and German words appear together beneath the vocal notation. Larger ensemble passages expand across several staves, keeping the participating voices distinct.
Spoken dialogue and scene headings appear between musical sections. One opening pairs bilingual dialogue with “Coro dei Sacerdoti” and “Chor der Priester.” This combination supports study of the dramatic text alongside the musical arrangements.
The piano reduction offers a compact alternative to an orchestral score. Its layout suits vocal study, accompaniment and rehearsal preparation. The volume contains 261 pages and measures approximately 27 × 20 × 2 cm.
Condition
Good overall condition, with light edge wear, minor corner wear and slight curl to the soft cover. Small marks are visible on the white rear cover, which retains a blue label. The front illustration remains clear.
Interior pages are generally clean and bright, with legible musical notation and text. The binding holds the page block together. Close views show the open gutter and gently curved page edges.
Key Details
Work: Il flauto magico / Die Zauberflöte / The Magic Flute
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Librettist: Emanuel Schikaneder
Italian translation: Giovanni Trampus
Publisher: Ricordi
Series: Opera Vocal Score Series
Format: Complete opera vocal score for voice and piano
Languages: Italian and German
Revision statement: Revised and corrected edition, 1959
Plate number: 119606
Pages: 261
Cover: White illustrated softcover with carriage and architectural scene
Dimensions: Approximately 27 × 20 × 2 cm / 10.6 × 7.9 × 0.8 inches
Condition: Good overall with light cover wear, minor marks and slight curl
SKU: 2C181
Why It’s Special
The appeal lies in the paired Italian and German presentation and the practical voice-and-piano layout. Parallel character lists, contents and dialogue complement the musical notation. A useful addition to an opera study library or a collection of Mozart scores.
