Act I
In the harsh wilderness of Ancient Egypt, a monster pursues Tamino. Just as he is about to be defeated he is rescued by three mysterious warrior women. The women gradually become infatuated with his good looks and decide neither of them can be trusted to remain alone with him while the others fetch their leader, the Queen of the Night. Tamino awakes alone to the noises of Papageno’s pipes. After the bird-like man introduces himself (Der Vögelfanger bin ich ja - I’m the bird man, hooray) as a bird catcher who longs for female companionship, Tamino questions him regarding his background. The three ladies then arrive and provide Tamino with a picture of the Queen's captured daughter, Pamina. Tamino immediately falls in love (Dies Bildnes is bezaubernd schön - This image is magically fair). The Queen then arrives and tells Tamino of her grief and that he will rescue her daughter (O zittrenicht, mein lieber sohn - Don’t tremble my lovely son). Armed with the Magic Flute, magic bells, and three guardian spirits, the unlikely pair sets out for Sarastro's domain.
The two heroes are separated and Papageno arrives first to find Pamina in the clutches of the evil Monostatos, a servant of Sarastro. Both men are so shocked by each others presence and flee. Papageno returns to tell Pamina of his quest to find her, then they flee after Pamina reassures Papageno that he will find love (Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fülen - The man who feels love).
The three spirits lead Tamino to Sarastro's temple where he encounters a priest who questions Tamino’s hate for his master. The priest tells him this is the Temple of Wisdom, not evil. Tamino uses his flute to try to find Pamina and just as he has almost lost hope, he hears Papageno’s pipes. After he runs to find them, Pamina and Papageno enter while fleeing Sorastro's domain (Schnelle Fuse, rascher Mut - Quick feet and courage). They are intercepted by the evil Monostatos who tries to capture Pamina again but is warded off by Papageno’s magic bells. Just as they think they are saved, Sarastro enters. Pamina begs forgiveness. Sarastro tells her to arise (Steh auf - Arise) and pardons her, explaining that he is protecting her from her evil mother, the Queen. Monostatos enters claiming that he alone prevented Pamina’s escape. Sarastro agrees with him to Monostatos’ delight, but then says his reward will be seventy seven lashes. The chorus praises Sarastro’s wisdom and the heroes are prepared for initiation into the brotherhood of wisdom.
Act II
The priests gather to discuss their new initiates and finish their meeting with a prayer to Isis and Osiris (O Isis und Osiris). Tamino and Papageno are led to a chamber where there are warned by two high priests not to talk, or suffer the consequences. The three ladies then arrive, asking why they have abandoned their quest. Fearing he will lose Pamina, Tamino refuses to talk with them and tries to keep Papageno quiet.
Monostatos comes upon Pamina and decides this is his opportunity to woo her (Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden - All the world is full of lovers). After Pamina refuses, he is chased away by the Queen who demands revenge and gives Pamina a blade to kill Sarastro (Der hölle rache kocht in meinem Herzen - Hell's rage burns in my heart). After the Queen leaves, Monostatos offers to help Pamina kill Sarastro, only to be chased away by Sarastro who calms Pamina with with his Aria (In diesen heilgen Hallen - In this holy land).
Tamino and Papageno are led into a room and reminded about their vow. Papageno promptly forgets and begins talking. He then encounters a strange old women. Eventually she is driven away by the priests and the three spirits arrive to bring them their flute and bells. Papageno tries to talk to Tamino but, since both have taken a vow of silence, Tamino ignores him. Pamina enters and Tamino is forced to ignore her as well and she is convinced he no longer loves her (Ach, ich füls es ist verschwunden - Ah, I feel grief and sadness).
The priests gather to praise the gods again and Sarastro brings in both Tamino and Pamina to bid their last farewell (Sol ich dich, Teurer! Nicht mehr sehn, Shall we never see each other again?).
Meanwhile, Papageno wonders where Tamino has gone. When a priest enters to confront him regarding his failures. The priest askes what he wants in his life and he just says a glass of wine, which is provided. After a drink, Papageno then realizes he wants companionship (Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen - A girl or a little wife). Papageno’s request is answered by the old woman who reveals herself to be his Papagena but she is taken from him by the priests.
The three spirits enter proclaiming that morning is near (Bald prangt, den Morgen - Soon the morning, light proclaiming) and with it the end of the trials. They find Pamina about to kill herself because she will never see Tamino again and they stop her, saying the gods will protect them.
The priests announce the start of the trials and Tamino is escorted to the place where he will face the trial of fire and water. Just as he must commence the trials, he hears Pamina’s voice calling to him. The priests tell him she has been allowed to accompany him. The couple faces the trials together and, with the protection of the magic flute, succeed.
A frantic Papageno enters calling for his Papagena. When he can’t find her decides he must kill himself but cannot muster the courage. Finally he gives to the count of three for someone to stop him. When no one answers he resigns himself to his fate, only to be rescued by the three spirits who bring him his magic bells. He uses them and Papagena arrives.
At night, Monostatos, the Queen, and the three ladies plan on entering Sarastro’s temple to kill him. Magically, the sun's rays appear and drive away they darkness along with its evil minions. Sarastro and the chorus praise the sun and the triumph of learning and wisdom.
In the harsh wilderness of Ancient Egypt, a monster pursues Tamino. Just as he is about to be defeated he is rescued by three mysterious warrior women. The women gradually become infatuated with his good looks and decide neither of them can be trusted to remain alone with him while the others fetch their leader, the Queen of the Night. Tamino awakes alone to the noises of Papageno’s pipes. After the bird-like man introduces himself (Der Vögelfanger bin ich ja - I’m the bird man, hooray) as a bird catcher who longs for female companionship, Tamino questions him regarding his background. The three ladies then arrive and provide Tamino with a picture of the Queen's captured daughter, Pamina. Tamino immediately falls in love (Dies Bildnes is bezaubernd schön - This image is magically fair). The Queen then arrives and tells Tamino of her grief and that he will rescue her daughter (O zittrenicht, mein lieber sohn - Don’t tremble my lovely son). Armed with the Magic Flute, magic bells, and three guardian spirits, the unlikely pair sets out for Sarastro's domain.
The two heroes are separated and Papageno arrives first to find Pamina in the clutches of the evil Monostatos, a servant of Sarastro. Both men are so shocked by each others presence and flee. Papageno returns to tell Pamina of his quest to find her, then they flee after Pamina reassures Papageno that he will find love (Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fülen - The man who feels love).
The three spirits lead Tamino to Sarastro's temple where he encounters a priest who questions Tamino’s hate for his master. The priest tells him this is the Temple of Wisdom, not evil. Tamino uses his flute to try to find Pamina and just as he has almost lost hope, he hears Papageno’s pipes. After he runs to find them, Pamina and Papageno enter while fleeing Sorastro's domain (Schnelle Fuse, rascher Mut - Quick feet and courage). They are intercepted by the evil Monostatos who tries to capture Pamina again but is warded off by Papageno’s magic bells. Just as they think they are saved, Sarastro enters. Pamina begs forgiveness. Sarastro tells her to arise (Steh auf - Arise) and pardons her, explaining that he is protecting her from her evil mother, the Queen. Monostatos enters claiming that he alone prevented Pamina’s escape. Sarastro agrees with him to Monostatos’ delight, but then says his reward will be seventy seven lashes. The chorus praises Sarastro’s wisdom and the heroes are prepared for initiation into the brotherhood of wisdom.
Act II
The priests gather to discuss their new initiates and finish their meeting with a prayer to Isis and Osiris (O Isis und Osiris). Tamino and Papageno are led to a chamber where there are warned by two high priests not to talk, or suffer the consequences. The three ladies then arrive, asking why they have abandoned their quest. Fearing he will lose Pamina, Tamino refuses to talk with them and tries to keep Papageno quiet.
Monostatos comes upon Pamina and decides this is his opportunity to woo her (Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden - All the world is full of lovers). After Pamina refuses, he is chased away by the Queen who demands revenge and gives Pamina a blade to kill Sarastro (Der hölle rache kocht in meinem Herzen - Hell's rage burns in my heart). After the Queen leaves, Monostatos offers to help Pamina kill Sarastro, only to be chased away by Sarastro who calms Pamina with with his Aria (In diesen heilgen Hallen - In this holy land).
Tamino and Papageno are led into a room and reminded about their vow. Papageno promptly forgets and begins talking. He then encounters a strange old women. Eventually she is driven away by the priests and the three spirits arrive to bring them their flute and bells. Papageno tries to talk to Tamino but, since both have taken a vow of silence, Tamino ignores him. Pamina enters and Tamino is forced to ignore her as well and she is convinced he no longer loves her (Ach, ich füls es ist verschwunden - Ah, I feel grief and sadness).
The priests gather to praise the gods again and Sarastro brings in both Tamino and Pamina to bid their last farewell (Sol ich dich, Teurer! Nicht mehr sehn, Shall we never see each other again?).
Meanwhile, Papageno wonders where Tamino has gone. When a priest enters to confront him regarding his failures. The priest askes what he wants in his life and he just says a glass of wine, which is provided. After a drink, Papageno then realizes he wants companionship (Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen - A girl or a little wife). Papageno’s request is answered by the old woman who reveals herself to be his Papagena but she is taken from him by the priests.
The three spirits enter proclaiming that morning is near (Bald prangt, den Morgen - Soon the morning, light proclaiming) and with it the end of the trials. They find Pamina about to kill herself because she will never see Tamino again and they stop her, saying the gods will protect them.
The priests announce the start of the trials and Tamino is escorted to the place where he will face the trial of fire and water. Just as he must commence the trials, he hears Pamina’s voice calling to him. The priests tell him she has been allowed to accompany him. The couple faces the trials together and, with the protection of the magic flute, succeed.
A frantic Papageno enters calling for his Papagena. When he can’t find her decides he must kill himself but cannot muster the courage. Finally he gives to the count of three for someone to stop him. When no one answers he resigns himself to his fate, only to be rescued by the three spirits who bring him his magic bells. He uses them and Papagena arrives.
At night, Monostatos, the Queen, and the three ladies plan on entering Sarastro’s temple to kill him. Magically, the sun's rays appear and drive away they darkness along with its evil minions. Sarastro and the chorus praise the sun and the triumph of learning and wisdom.
