Learn - The Magic Flute - Arizona Opera

Tamino, a prince from a foreign land, finds himself pursued by a serpent and fears for his life. He loses consciousness. Three ladies, servants of the Queen of the Night, enter and slay the serpent. Tamino remains unconscious while the three ladies exit. Tamino awakens disoriented. He hears panpipes in the distance, signaling the approach of Papageno.

Papageno and Tamino meet. Tamino comes to believe that Papageno has slain the serpent and Papageno takes credit for the kill. The three ladies return and punish Papageno for the lie. They claim the kill, then hand Tamino a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina, and promise him fortune, honor, and glory if he be moved. The three ladies exit and Tamino falls in love with the image of Pamina.

The three ladies return, followed by the queen. They tell Tamino that Pamina has been captured by a demon—Sarastro—and taken to a nearby fortress. The queen promises Pamina’s hand to Tamino if he rescues her. Tamino accepts the mission and is given a magic flute and promised three spirits to guide him. Papageno is given a set of magic bells and ordered to accompany Tamino. They depart.

Sarastro is away from his fortress and has left Pamina in the care of a Moor named Monostatos, who mistreats Pamina. Pamina escapes but is caught and sent back to Monostatos’ chambers. Papageno has gone ahead of Tamino and, once at the fortress, spies Pamina through the window and lets himself in. He tells Pamina of her mother, the prince, and the mission. They escape through the window.

Tamino is led by the three spirits to a strange grove with three temples. He demands entrance to all three but is denied and subjected to a series of mysterious questions at the third. The encounter challenges Tamino’s belief that the queen is good and Sarastro evil. Tamino is told that Pamina lives and he expresses his joy by playing the flute. Papageno’s pipes answer Tamino’s flute and Tamino chases the sound.

Sarastro returns from his journey. Pamina pleads mercy for her escape, explaining Monostatos’ abuse. Sarastro orders Monostatos punished for his wickedness. Tamino and Pamina embrace, then are veiled and led into Sarasto’s temple.

Act 2

Sarastro and his council debate whether Tamino is worthy of induction into their mysteries. It is agreed that he will be subjected to trials that will test his willpower, patience, and trust. Papageno will join him and be awarded with a wife—Papagena—if he passes them.

Papageno and Tamino are sworn to silence and left alone in the dark. They are visited by the Three Ladies, a disguised Papagena, and finally Pamina.

Meanwhile, the Queen of the Night visits Pamina and explains that the king on his deathbed had entrusted to Sarastro the sevenfold circle of the sun and that it must be stolen back for the sake of the kingdom. The queen hands her a dagger and orders that she use it to kill Sarastro.

Pamina hears the sound of Tamino’s flute and rushes toward it. She talks to him but receives nothing but sighs in reply. She is dumbstruck by his silence and desperate for a response. She fears the loss of his love and claims death her only solace.

Tamino embarks on his final trial. Pamina, distraught, wanders off to plunge the dagger into her chest but is prevented by the three spirits who tell her Tamino’s love persists, then lead her to join Tamino in his trial through a blazing mountain of fire. The flute protects them and they pass unscathed.

Papageno believes he will never be worthy of Papagena. Heartbroken, he elects to hang himself. But before he does, the three spirits suggest he play the magic bells. Papagena appears. They will marry.

Monostatos and the Queen of the Night have been plotting Sarastro’s demise. But as the plot comes to fruition, a bright light floods the stage, and night is destroyed.