SYNOPSIS

CD 1

[1] Ouvertüre

Act One

A wild and rocky landscape in the realm of Night

[2] Tamino, a foreign prince, is fleeing from a serpent which threatens to devour him. He collapses in a faint, but Three Ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, arrive in the nick of time to slay the serpent. Smitten by his looks, they argue jealously about who should stay to tend the youth. To settle the problem they leave together to tell the Queen of their find. Tamino wakes and finds the serpent dead at his feet. [4] A sound of panpipes announces the arrival of Papageno — a curious natural-man — who catches birds for the Queen of the Night in exchange for food and drink. He lacks only one thing: a woman.

Tamino questions the newcomer, who claims that it was he who killed the serpent. At this moment the Three Ladies return, and to punish Papageno for his lie they give him water and a stone instead of wine and cake, and place a padlock on his mouth. They leave Tamino a portrait of the Queen’s daughter, [6] which has the desired effect of making him fall in love with her beauty.

[8] The Queen herself appears; and in the tones of a distraught mother tells Tamino of the abduction of her daughter by an evil demon, Sarastro. If Tamino can rescue Pamina the reward will be her hand in marriage.

Seduced by the Queen’s tragic allure, Tamino is impatient to set off on his quest. [10] The Ladies unlock Papageno’s mouth and, giving him a set of magic bells as an inducement, command him to accompany the prince. Tamino is given a flute with magical powers which will protect them on their journey. The prince and Papageno are told that Three Boys will guide them to Sarastro’s citadel.

A splendid room in Egyptian style in Sarastro’s citadel

Pamina has tried to escape from the lecherous Monostatos, the Moorish servant of Sarastro, and has been recaptured. Papageno has found his way into the palace, where he comes face to face with Monostatos. Equally terrified at each other’s appearance, both flee. Papageno returns, recognises Pamina, and introduces himself to her. He tells her that Tamino has been sent to rescue her, and together they sing of how love has the power to raise humanity to divinity.

Outside the Temples of Reason, Nature and Wisdom

CD 2

[1] The Three Boys lead Tamino in. The temple buildings tell Tamino that he has reached the portals of civilisation. But attempting to enter first the Temple of Reason and then the Temple of Nature, he is repulsed by voices from within. ! From the Temple of Wisdom, however, there emerges a dignified priest, the Speaker, who interrogates Tamino on his intentions. He explains that Tamino’s understanding of Sarastro is false, and that he has been deceived by the Queen. Refusing to divulge more, he withdraws. In despair, Tamino recognises the darkness of his ignorance. Voices from within the Temple reassure him that Pamina is still alive. In thanksgiving he lifts his flute to his lips and plays. Drawn by the music, wild animals appear. From the distance comes an answering call — Papageno’s panpipes. Tamino sets of to find his companion.

[2] Papageno and Pamina enter and are confronted by Monostatos and his slaves. Papageno remembers his bells, and Monostatos and the slaves, bewitched, dance away harmlessly.
[3] Off-stage fanfares announce the approach of Sarastro. Pamina throws herself at his feet, begs his forgiveness for her attempt to escape from Monostatos, and expresses her longings to see her mother again. Sarastro explains that Pamina is held to guard her from the malign influence of the Queen. Tamino is brought in as a captive by Monostatos, and the young couple recognise and greet each other at last. Monostatos demands that they be punished, but Sarastro sends them away instead to be purified before undergoing the trials of initiation, and Monostatos is punished in their place.

Act Two

A palm grove

[4]-[5] Sarastro announces to the assembled priests that Tamino seeks admission to their order. He assures the priests of Tamino’s virtues; although endowed with worldly status he is also a “Mensch”, the condition which allows him to aspire to divinity. Sarastro explains that he had abducted Pamina from her mother because she is destined to be Tamino’s partner. [6]All join Sarastro in a solemn hymn to the tutelary deities of Sarastro’s Temple: the gods of Nature and Reason reconciled, Isis and Osiris.

Within the Temple

[7] Tamino and Papageno are led in by Two Priests. Papageno is afraid, but takes heart a little when he is told that his reward for passing the trials will be a Papagena. [8] The Priests impose a vow of silence on the two men, then leave them alone. [9] The Three Ladies appear and try to lure them back to the Queen. Tamino and Papageno refuse to speak to them, and the Ladies are banished by voices from within.

A garden

[11] Monostatos finds Pamina sleeping and is about to assault her when the Queen of the Night appears. [13] The Queen sings of the fearsome vengeance which boils in her heart against Sarastro, who has stolen her power over the earth. She gives Pamina a dagger to murder Sarastro, then leaves. [15] Sarastro appears and reveals to Pamina that he knows of the Queen’s plot against himself and humanity, but preaches the philosophy of forgiveness.

Another part of the Temple

[16] Tamino and Papageno are led in. Papageno longs for something to drink, and is immediately brought a cup of water by an ugly crone who claims to be his girlfriend. Forgetting his vow he chats with her, but a clap of thunder sends her away before she can reveal her name. [17] The Three Boys arrive, bringing with them a sumptuously laid table and Tamino’s and Papageno’s magic instruments. [18] Papageno tucks in to the feast, but Tamino instead plays his flute, the sound of which brings Pamina rushing in. Tamino remembers his vow and refuses to speak to her. [19] Pamina believes that he no longer loves her. She leaves in despair as Tamino and Papageno are summoned to their next trial.

A pyramid

CD 3

[2] The Priests approve Tamino for initiation, and [4] he and Pamina are commanded to bid each other a last farewell. Papageno is told that he has been rejected for initiation, [6] but expresses no regret. The old woman returns and offers herself as his wife. When he accepts, she is transformed into a young girl, but is instantly sent away again.

A garden

[8] The Three Boys greet the dawn. Pamina approaches, intending to kill herself with her mother’s dagger. The Boys prevent her, assuring her that Tamino still loves her.

The entrance to the trials

[9] The Two Armed Men who guard the entrance tell Tamino of the trials which lie within. [10] Pamina arrives with the magic flute, ready to join him in the ordeal. As Tamino plays the flute, together they pass through the fire and water unscathed.

A garden

[11] Papageno is in despair over the loss of Papagena, and prepares to hang himself. [12] The Three Boys remind him of his bells, and to its sounds Papagena at last arrives.

An underground vault

[13] Monostatos has joined the Queen and her Ladies in their plan to assault the Temple. Thunder and lightning hurl them into the depths of Hell in defeat. Tamino and Pamina are welcomed into the Temple of the Sun, and the victory of light over darkness is celebrated.