Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 'Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen' is a duet from his opera 'The Magic Flute' (Die Zauberflöte), performed by the characters Pamina and Papageno. This piece is a celebration of love and its profound impact on human life, emphasizing the mutual affection between men and women as a divine and noble force.

The lyrics begin with Pamina and Papageno expressing that where there is love, a good heart is never far behind. This sentiment underscores the idea that love inherently brings out the best in people, fostering kindness and compassion. Papageno adds that it is a woman's primary duty to share in these sweet impulses, highlighting the reciprocal nature of love and the importance of mutual emotional engagement.

As the duet progresses, both characters revel in the joy that love brings, asserting that life is sustained and enriched by love alone. Pamina notes that love sweetens every hardship, and Papageno agrees, saying it seasons the days of our lives and operates within the natural order. This suggests that love is a fundamental, life-affirming force that transcends individual struggles and is integral to the human experience.

The final verses elevate the union of man and woman to a divine level, stating that nothing is nobler than the bond between them. By comparing this union to the gods, Mozart and his librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, convey the sacred and exalted nature of love. The repetition of 'Mann und Weib, und Weib und Mann' reinforces the equality and harmony in this partnership, suggesting that together, men and women can achieve a divine state of being.

Mozart's composition, with its lyrical beauty and profound message, continues to resonate as a timeless ode to the power and sanctity of love, celebrating the harmonious and divine union between men and women.