Free Flute Sheet Music

Tune of the Day: The Bird Catcher's Aria

The opening aria for the jolly bird-catcher Papageno is entitled “Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja”, which may be roughly translated from German as “I am the bird catcher, yes”.

Papageno enters wearing his costume of feathers and with a birdcage strapped to his back. In both hands he has a pan pipe which he plays before and during the song. He sings cheerfully of the pleasures of catching birds, but muses that it would be nice to be able to catch pretty girls too, and to make the one he liked best his wife.

Thanks to Jennifer for suggesting this piece!