On January 25 & 27, 2018, The Valley of Toronto [a jurisdictional body formed to serve the the Greater Toronto Area Scottish Rite Masons] host a production of Mozart’s Masonic masterwork The Magic Flute at the York Masonic Temple, 1100 Millwood Road in Toronto. The Masonic groups website explains:
“What was supposed to be a one time performance in 2016 for the 225’th Anniversary of the premiere of The Magic Flute and the 260’th Anniversary of Mozart’s birth is back by popular demand.
“Experience this unique performance and enter into a Masonic Temple, for many for the first time, and take in the sights and incredible sounds of this wonderful operatic masterpiece performed within the lodge room.
“Although this event would usually be closed to the public, the Valley of Toronto would like to give its members as well as families, friends and the public a unique opportunity to experience this performance in the York Masonic Temple.
“Large enough to hold this event, but intimate enough to reach out and touch the performers, tickets will be extremely limited, and will sell out fast.
“If you enjoy opera, the quality, cast and intimacy of this performance within the acoustics of the lodge will not leave you wanting more.
“If you are new to opera, the English narration and explanation of the scenes as the Acts progress make it easy for anyone to follow along and enjoy this masterpiece.
One of the most beloved operatic masterworks of all time is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ (German: Die Zauberflöte), K. 620. It is an opera for audiences of any age, and was written in a popular style known as a Singspiel, which included both singing and spoken dialogue. The original work was a collaboration between Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder, who wrote the libretto and in whose theatre in Vienna it had its premiere on September 30, 1791.
“Mozart and Schikaneder were both Freemasons and lodge brothers, as was the engraver and printer of the first libretto – Ignaz Alberti. Perhaps as a result, The Magic Flute is known to have prominent Masonic elements. The story itself portrays the education of mankind, progressing from chaos, through religious superstition, to rationalistic enlightenment.
“In 2015 Premiere Productions Ottawa created a unique concert performance, presented in German but with a special, innovative twist. Assisted by Ill. Bro. Alan Douglas Arbuckle 33°, an English narration was especially prepared to chart the Masonic mysteries hidden throughout the story, from Papageno’s shenanigans through Tamino’s and Pamina’s trial by water, fire, and air; demonstrating how Mozart and Schikaneder set forth in operatic terms, the various steps Masonic initiates take on their journey towards enlightened understanding. It is Mozart’s Masonic Journey.”
http://mozart.valleyoftoronto.com/.
