When I first saw this I watched it three times in one week. I didn't know what to expect as I sat down the first time, being a little blasé about it, but as it went on I was more and more enthralled. Having a bit of background knowledge of gnosticism and the spiritual path, I was amazed to see how the Mozart and Schikaneder could have portrayed it in such a powerful way (and Bergman's presentation is fabulous with the costumes and set).
I'm sure not many people know about the initiations or the path that Tamino chooses to take but it's been there throughout history in many forms - and I'm very glad it's in this opera ;) (See below for a documentary about the history of the path as described in The Magic Flute) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1563756/
I'm sure not many people know about the initiations or the path that Tamino chooses to take but it's been there throughout history in many forms - and I'm very glad it's in this opera ;) (See below for a documentary about the history of the path as described in The Magic Flute) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1563756/