The world is full of conflict between light and darkness. W. A. Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute contains characters, plot lines, and a libretto that reflects the struggles of humankind. The lovers, Tamino and Pamina, are two innocent individuals that are plagued by the darkness of their situation. In this way, they are the light that is trying to overcome the darkness that surrounds them. The magic flute and glockenspiel are instruments of power that ultimately enable Tamino to be successful in his difficult trials. The timbre of both the instruments are light and pleasing to the ear – a far cry from the tests that Tamino is put through in order to prove himself worthy of Pamina. Ultimately, the theme of light versus darkness is best personified through The Queen of the Night and Sarastro. The two characters work in opposition to one another throughout the story, but are also examples of “light” and “dark” musically. Many things contribute to the development of the story, but the way that the music and images intertwine greatly impact the events. In Kenneth Branagh’s The Magic Flute (2006), sound and visuals work together to support the unfolding of the central theme of the film. …show more content…
As he follows the floating photograph through the dark trenches, a romantic orchestra of strings and brasses accompany his declarations of love. The airiness of the strings seem to twirl and spin the picture just out of Tamino’s reach, creating a juxtaposition between the setting of the dirty troughs and the music. Though Tamino is in the middle of a war, his newfound love allows him to forget everything for a moment and find a source of light in his life. The music in largo and his love transport him to the ballroom where Pamina is – far away from the wretched trenches and to his