Schikaneder and the Freemasons

In the final programme exploring Mozart's life through the lens of five relationships that shaped him, Kate Molleson looks at the brotherhood - the Freemasons – and how they influenced Mozart’s later years. The Freemason network was an important source of commissions and loans to him but also provided some of his closest friendships - Emanuel Schikaneder among them. Schikaneder was one of the most versatile and flamboyant stage presences of the 18th century. An actor, singer, impresario, playwright, and tastemaker of popular culture - without him, The Magic Flute wouldn’t exist. In the final months of Mozart's life, he and Schikaneder created the opera together, stuffing it full of masonic codes.

Masonic funeral music in C minor, K477
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Trio in E flat for Piano Clarinet and Viola, K449 'Kegelstatt'
I. Andante
II. Menuetto
Martin Frӧst, clarinet
Antoine Tamastit, violin
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

The Magic Flute: Overture
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

The Magic Flute: Finale (excerpt)
Daniel Behle, tenor (Tamino)
Marlis Petersen, soprano (Pamina)
Daniel Schmutzhard, baritone (Papageno)
Sunhae Im, soprano (Papagena)
Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
RIAS Kammerchor
René Jacobs, conductor

Requiem in D minor. K626
IV. Offertorium 2: Hostias
V. Sanctus
VI. Benedictus
Ying Fang, soprano
Beth Taylor, mezzo-soprano
Laurence Kilsby, tenor
Alex Rosen, bass
Ensemble Pygmalion
Raphael Pichon, conductor

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Wales Audio