Papageno Bird Mask: An Opera Craft for Kids!
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a…wait…actually, yes, it’s a bird!
Who is Papageno?
In The Story Orchestra: The Magic Flute, Papageno is described as a bird watcher. He is the character that is dishonest about who saved Prince Tamino, but unlucky for him, the Night Riders were there too…and they know exactly who saved the prince!
Papageno sings two very fun pieces in the opera including Hm! Hm! Hm! where he is frustrated by the lock on this mouth and Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Papageno (not included in The Story Orchestra version) which he sings near the end of the opera with his new wife, Papagena.
Papageno’s time to shine!
So, now that you know who Papageno is (can you tell from the music that his character provides the comic relief in this story?), let’s make a mask that will be great for pretending and singing along. You’ll want to download the mask and beak template located on the subscriber resources page, or you can draw up something on your own.
Gather up your materials…
White construction paper/cardstock, colored printer paper for the feathers, half a sheet of orange printer paper for the beak, string, scissors, glue, tape, stapler (optional)
And let’s get started!
Cut out the mask along the dotted line. (Or draw one if you are not using the Music Library template.)
Cut out the eye holes.
Measure and cut the string to fit your head. You want it snug enough to stay on your head but not so tight that the tape doesn't hold it!
OPTIONAL: Staple the string to the mask.
Use tape to secure the string to your mask.
Fold the orange piece of paper into a triangle. Cut short slits into the short edge of the triangle to create three or four tabs/flaps.. Fold those flaps outward and glue them onto the onto the front of your mask.
Glue the paper "feathers" onto your mask. Be sure to cover the flaps of the beak.
Let your mask dry completely before putting it on. Then...
Hm! Hm! Hm! and Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa along with Papageno! And remember, it is always best to tell the truth!
