Final answer:
In "The Magic Flute," the number three is particularly significant, reflecting the Masonic symbolism favored by Mozart and his librettist, both of whom were Freemasons, which is evident in the characters and thematic elements of the opera.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number significant in "The Magic Flute" is the number three. This number repeatedly appears in the opera, as in the three ladies who serve the Queen of the Night, the three boys who guide Tamino, and the three chords that are struck in the overture.
The recurrence of the number three in the opera is often associated with Freemasonry, as Mozart and the librettist for "The Magic Flute," Emanuel Schikaneder, were both Freemasons, and the number three holds special significance in Masonic symbolism. The opera's use of the number three exemplifies the deep layering of symbolism and references to Freemasonry throughout the work.