The Magic Flute

(Die Zauberflöte)

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Libretto by: Emanuel Schikaneder



Cast (in order of appearance)




The Story



Act I

Tamino, who is out hunting, is pursued by a dragon. He calls for help, as he faints the Queen of the Night's three ladies save him. Papageno, the Queen's bird-catcher, finds the confused Tamino and brags that he slew the serpent himself. The Ladies overhear this - as a punishment for his lies they padlock his mouth.

They show Tamino a picture of Pamina, the daughter of the Queen; Tamino instantly falls in love. The Ladies tell him that Pamina has been abducted by the evil Sarastro. He resolves to rescue her. The Queen appears and offers Tamino her daughter's hand, if he succeeds.

Papageno is freed from his padlock and the two are given magical gifts - Papageno, a chime of bells and Tamino, a flute. Three genies will protect them on their journey.

In Sarastro's palace, Monostatos, Sarastro's slave, forces his attentions on Pamina. Papageno enters, Monostatos mistakes him for the devil and runs away. Papageno assures Pamina that her rescuer Tamino is at hand - and he has fallen in love with her. The three genies lead Tamino to Sarastro's temple. Tamino is refused entry. He is met by a priest who confirms that Pamina is in Sarastro's power. He persuades Tamino to become a member of Sarastro's brotherhood.

Tamino plays his flute and it is answered by Papageno. Tamino rushed off to find him. Papageno and Pamina look for Tamino but are intercepted by Monostatos. Papageno uses his chime of bells to set Monostatos and the slaves dancing. As Papageno and Pamina rejoice, Sarastro arrives. When Monostatos returns with Tamino held captive, it is Monostatos who is reprimanded. Tamino and Papageno are led away to undergo purification for the brotherhood.

Act II

Sarastro explains his beliefs. The Priests warn Tamino and Papageno that they may perish in their search for the Truth. They are instructed to remain silent. The three Ladies enter and try to persuade the two to abandon their new allegiance but Tamino stands firsm, encouraging Papageno to do likewise. Monostatos pursues Pamina. The Queesn enters and halts him with a cry; she gives her daughter a dagger to kill Sarastro. Monostatos overhears this and threatens to betray Pamina unless she yields to him. Sarastro arrives in time to save her. Although Tamino and Papageno are still under order of silence, Papageno enters into conversation with an old hag who introduces herself as his sweetheart. As she departs, the three genies return with food and wine.

Pamina arrives and is overjoyed to find her love at last. She can extract no word from him and wrongly concludes that he no longer loves her. An assembly of Priests is teaching Tamino; Pamina rushes in and the two lovers are told to bid farewell to each other. Again Papageno meets the old hag Papagena, who transforms into a beautiful girl. However, the two are separated by one of the priests.

Pamina is found on the brink of suicide, but is dissuaded by the three genies, who assure her that Tamino still loves her. He is brought in by the Priests for the final test of fire and water.

Pamina is allowed to join Tamino and they successfully pass through the ordeals.

Papageno, in despair, prepares to die. The genies tell him to play on his chime of bells. He does so, and Papagena returns to him.

Monostatos leads the Queen and her Ladies to the temple but they are defeated. The people celebrate Tamino and Pamina's love.