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Opera Synopses
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Die ZauberflöteBy W.A. MozartLibretto by Emanuel Schikaneder Time: Unspecified Act I, Scene 1Tamino, a handsome prince who is lost in the forest, is pursued by a serpent. He faints from fatigue and three ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, appear and kill the serpent. They all fall in love with the prince and each plans to be alone with him. Then they decide to all leave together. Tamino recovers, and sees before him Papageno, arrayed entirely in the plumage of birds. His entrance aria tells of his job as a birdcatcher. Papageno tells Tamino that he brings the birds to the Queen’s servants, who give him sustenance in return. Tamino thinks that Papageno has saved him from the serpent and Papageno claims that he has strangled the serpent, but the three ladies appear and punish him by padlocking his mouth. The ladies show the prince a miniature of a young maiden, Pamina, upon which he gazes in ecstasy (“Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön”). The Queen of the Night now appears, demanding that Tamino free her daughter, Pamina, from the hands of Sarastro, promising that he can marry her in return (“O Zittre Nicht”). The ladies give Tamino a magic flute that can change men’s hearts, remove the padlock from Papageno and present him with a chime of bells to protect him. Papageno accompanies Tamino, and they set forth, guided by three spirits. They escape all danger by the use of the magic instruments (“Hm hm hm hm”). Scene 2: A room in Sarastro’s palacePamina is dragged in by Sarastro’s servant Monostatos, who is persecuting her. Papageno arrives and announces that her mother has sent Tamino to her aid. Monostatos is terrified by Papageno’s strange appearance and takes flight (“Du feines Täubchen, nun herein!”). Pamina and Papageno both talk of their desires, which turn out to be love (“Bei Männern”). Scene 3: Grove and entrance to the templesThe three spirits lead in the prince. Tamino is denied entrance at the Gates of Nature and Reason, but at the Gate of Wisdom a priest reveals to him the noble character of Sarastro. Papageno tries to escape with Pamina, but it is prevented by Monostatos. Sarastro and chorus enter; Pamina falls at his feet and confesses that she was trying to escape because Monostatos had demanded her love. Sarastro receives her kindly and tells her that he will not force her inclinations, but cannot give her freedom. He punishes Monostatos for his insolence and leads Tamino and Papageno into the temple of Ordeal. Act II, Scene 1: Grove of palmsThe council of priests determine that Tamino shall possess Pamina if he passes the trials, as they do not wish to return her to her mother (“O Isis und Osiris”). Scene 2 : The courtyard of the temple of OrdealTamino and Papageno are led into the temple. Tamino is cautioned that this is his last chance to turn back, but he decides to continue to win Pamina. Papageno is asked if he will also concede to every trial, but he says that he doesn’t really want wisdom. The priest tells Papageno that Sarastro may have a woman for him if he undergoes the trials, and that she is called Papagena. The priest says, however, that he must keep silent. Papageno finally agrees. The first test is that Tamino and Papageno shall remain silent under the temptation of women. The three ladies appear, and tempt them to speak, but Tamino and Papageno remain firm, though Tamino must constantly tell Papageno, “Still!” Scene 3: A garden. Pamina asleepMonostatos approaches and gazes upon her with rapture (“Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden”). When the Queen of the Night appears and gives Pamina a dagger with which to kill Sarastro (“Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen”), Monostatos retires and listens. He tries to force Pamina’s love, but is prevented by Sarastro, who allays Pamina’s alarm (“In diesen heiligen Hallen”). Scene 4: A hall in the temple of OrdealTamino and Papageno must again suffer the test of silence. Papageno can no longer hold his tongue, but Tamino remains firm, even when Pamina speaks to him. Since Tamino refuses to answer, Pamina believes he loves her no longer (“Ach, ich fühl’s, es ist verschwunden”). Scene 5: The pyramidsSarastro parts Pamina and Tamino. Papageno also desires to have his little wife (“Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen”). At the first ordeal, an old woman had appeared to him and declared herself his bride. She now appears again and changes herself into the young and pretty Papagena. However, she vanishes and Papageno is miserable. Scene 6: An open countryThe three spirits prevent Pamina from committing suicide because she believes Tamino to be faithless. Scene 7: Rocks with water and a cavern of fire.Men in armor lead in Tamino. Pamina arrives and is overcome with joy to find Tamino, who is now allowed to speak to her. Both pass unscathed through the final ordeal of fire and water with the help of the magic flute, which Pamina tells him was carved by her father from an ancient oak tree. Papageno wishes to take his life because he can’t stop thinking about Papagena, but acts merrily when the spirits advise him to use his magic bells to summon the image of Papagena (“Papageno! Papagena!”). The traitorous Monostatos appears with the Queen of the Night and her ladies to destroy the temple, but they are magically cast out (Finale: “Nur stille, stille”). The scene now changes to the entrance of the chief temple, where Sarastro bids the young lovers welcome and unites them.
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