Mozart – The Magic Flute

In a dream-like world, an earnest young prince, Tamino, is pursued by a serpent. He faints and is rescued by three ladies, the servants of the mysterious Queen of the Night. After they disappear back into the night, passing bird-lover Papageno takes credit for their victory, but the ladies return and punish him for his lies. They present Tamino with a portrait of the Queen of the Night’s daughter, Pamina, who has been abducted by the supposedly evil Sarastro. Tamino immediately falls in love and vows to rescue his new beloved.

The Queen of the Night arrives and promises Pamina to the young man if he can rescue her. The ladies give Tamino a magic flute which has the power to turn sorrow to joy, and give Papageno (sent along for the ride) a set of magic bells for protection. As guides, they offer three spirits, who will take the pair safely to Sarastro.

In Sarastro’s temple, the actually evil Monostatos is left alone with the captive Pamina, but Papageno arrives and, terrified, both men flee. Papageno returns and announces to Pamina that her mother has sent Tamino to save her. Realising she is the object of this young man’s love, she reflects on the possible joys of marriage.

The spirits lead Tamino to Sarastro’s temple where he is welcomed by a priest, who tells him that the Queen of the Night is not to be trusted – Tamino will understand this when he approaches the temple in the spirit of friendship. Hearing Papageno in the distance, Tamino hurries off to find his friend.

Meanwhile, Papageno and Pamina are recaptured. They distract Monostatos with the magic bells but run straight into Sarastro. Though receiving them kindly, he refuses to return Pamina to her mother.

Monostatos returns with Tamino and, seeing Pamina for the first time, the lovers embrace. Sarastro punishes Monostatos for his lust before announcing that Tamino must undergo trials of wisdom to become worthy as Pamina’s husband.

Sarastro calls to the gods, Isis and Osiris, invoking protection for Tamino before he and Papageno are sworn to silence and led into the first trial. The three ladies return, trying to tempt the pair to speak.

In a garden, Monostatos goes to kiss the sleeping Pamina, hiding when the Queen of the Night appears. She wakes her daughter but is enraged by her and Tamino’s wavering loyalties, threatening to disown her unless she kills Sarastro.

The Queen of the Night leaves and Monostatos, revealing himself, threatens Pamina, but Sarastro arrives and drives him away. Pamina begs Sarastro to forgive her mother and he reassures her that revenge has no place in his temple.

Tamino and Papageno enter their second trial. They encounter an old lady before the three spirits (newly aiding Sarastro) arrive with food, the magic flute, and the bells. Tamino plays the flute which summons Pamina, but as he cannot speak Pamina despairs that he no longer loves her.

As the people pray for Tamino’s success, Sarastro arrives with the lovers and instructs them to bid one another a “final farewell.” Papageno enters and pleads for a wife. The protestors grant his request and the old lady returns, transforming into the beautiful young Papagena when Papageno pledges her his love. They go to embrace but Papageno is not yet worthy.

As we approach our finale, the spirits hail the arrival of dawn and Tamino enters for his final trials. Joined by Pamina and aided by the magic flute, he passes through fire and water unscathed. Papageno, meanwhile, is talked down from suicidal thoughts, and uses the magic bells to summon Papagena to his side. Monostatos appears alongside the Queen of the Night and the three ladies and they are cast out into eternal night, Sarastro announcing the triumph of the sun and the dawn of a new (more enlightened) age.