Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition and proficiency from an early age resulted in more than 800 works representing virtually every Western classical genre of his time. Many of these compositions are acknowledged as pinnacles of the symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral repertoire. Mozart is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music, with his music admired for its "melodic beauty, its formal elegance and its richness of harmony and texture". Born in Salzburg, Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. At age five, he was already competent on keyboard and violin, had begun to compose, and performed before European royalty.

The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), K. 620, is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form during the time it was written that included both singing and spoken dialogue. The work premiered on 30 September 1791 at Schikaneder's theatre, the Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, just two months before the composer's death. It was the last opera that Mozart composed. The opera was an outstanding success from its first performances, and remains a staple of the opera repertory to this day.

"Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja" is an aria where the character Papageno introduces himself as a bird-catcher, describing his simple life while expressing his desire to find a partner, making it a cheerful and catchy piece often recognized for its whistling melody; essentially, it translates to "I am the bird-catcher indeed." The aria is known for its lighthearted and joyful melody, often incorporating whistling sounds. .

Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Flute).

Although originally composed for Bass & Orchestra, I created this arrangement of the bass Aria: "Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja" (K.620 Act I No. 2) for Winds (Flute, Oboe, English Horn, French Horn & Bassoon) & Strings (2 Violins, Viola, Cello & Bass).