tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551261045977896784.post4855388638182756814..comments2024-03-17T05:15:02.895-04:00Comments on Operation Opera: Mozart's Queen of the Night and her need for snopes.comDr. Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18150662643983127706noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551261045977896784.post-5035512700522350932019-01-06T22:48:08.155-05:002019-01-06T22:48:08.155-05:00Absolutely agree with everything said in point 2. ...Absolutely agree with everything said in point 2. As a 21st century person, when I first saw the opera without knowing the plot at all I expected the table to all turn at the end with Tamino and all the priests realize they have been brainwashed by Sarastro's mindgame. Stupid, I know. But I did not buy for a second Sarastro is a good person throughout the opera. Have to accept as the opera ends that they think things differently in 18th century.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551261045977896784.post-84818149869368452912018-07-10T10:35:38.283-04:002018-07-10T10:35:38.283-04:00Very nice analysis. I would go a little further th...Very nice analysis. I would go a little further though.<br /><br />1) There's some history between Sasrastro and the Queen. Remember how she bemoans that when her husband died he left some objects of power to Sasrastro rather than her. I think she does know what he's about, and still doesn't like it, and she may be justified, because....<br /><br />2) He IS a creepy cult leader. What are the marks of a cult: brainwashing, cutting members off from family and friends, and preventing them from leaving. Check, check, check. He kidnaps a young woman against her will, leaves her in an unsafe situation where she almost gets raped, tells her her mother is a bad person and she needs a man's guidance, and puts her through an ordeal that almost drives her to suicide. Even the happy-go-lucky Papagino is also almost driven to suicide by the mindgames of the "initiation", which both he and Pamina are experiencing under duress. Only Tamino can be said to have agreed to the process, the other two are along for the ride and find it horrifying. Sure, everyone seems happy in the end, but I have to wonder for how long. <br />Sarastro is given the lines to preach benevolence and wisdom, but don'e all cult leaders talk up a good storm? You have to judge them by their actions. <br /><br />This may not the be the interpretation Mozart intended, but maybe Mozart would have drunk the Koolaid.Fionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367178990462341240noreply@blogger.com