【The Magic Flute】Synopsis, Character Map

The Magic Flute: Character Map, opera

The Magic Flute was Mozart’s last completed opera. At first glance, the work seems like a fairy tale, but it has many intriguing elements, such as the reversal of good and bad in the first and second acts, and the significant number “3” that appears throughout the opera. The Queen of the Night’s aria “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,” a famous highlight of The Magic Flute, appears in the second act.

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The Magic Flute, Opera: Character Map

The Magic Flute, Opera: Character Map
The Magic Flute, Opera: Character Map

The Magic Flute, Opera: Roles

Taminoa prince from another landtenor
PapagenoBird Catcherbaritone
PaminaThe Queen’s daughtersoprano
Sarastrobass
The Queen of the Night, Königin der Nachtsoprano
Papagenasoprano
Monostatostenor
Speaker of the temple, Sprecherbass
The Magic Flute, Opera: Roles
  • Native title: Die Zauberflöte
  • Language: German
  • Composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  • Librettist: Emanuel Schikaneder
  • Premiere: September 30, 1791,Theater auf der Wieden (closed), Vienna
  • Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (Act 1: 70 minutes, Act 2: 80 minutes)

The Magic Flute, Opera: Summary

Act 1

Fictional Ancient Egypt. The Queen of the Night asks Prince Tamino to save her daughter Pamina from being kidnapped by Sarastro. He is accompanied by the merry Papageno.

Tamino

I will rescue Pamina.

After finding Pamina safely, Tamino and Pamina fall in love.

Act 2

Tamino and Papageno take on the ordeals of Sarastro. The reward for Papageno’s ordeal is a girl named Papagena.

Papageno

Why must I go through all this terrible trouble just to meet a pretty girl?

The Queen of the Night, supposedly the victim of her daughter’s abduction, orders her daughter Pamina to kill Sarastro to restore the power of the sun that her late husband had given Sarastro.

The Queen of the Night

If you do not kill Sarastro, I will no longer be your mother. I will disown you forever!

Pamina

I can’t do anything terrible.

When Sarastro finds out, he says he forgives her out of love, not revenge.

Tamino and Papageno go through the ordeal. The Queen of the Night, who has come to attack Sarastro’s world, is defeated by the power of light. The people praise the World of the Sun for its beauty and wisdom.

The Magic Flute, Opera: Act1, Synopsis

Overture

Scene1

Rocky areas

A fictional ancient Egypt. Tamino is being chased by a snake and is on the run.

Tamino

Help me, please! I’m screwed!

Zu Hülfe! zu Hülfe! sonst bin ich verloren

He passes out. Three ladies appear and defeat the snake.

Three ladies
(All together) It’s our power. We saved him.

Oh, he’s so cool.

Wow! Let’s show him to the queen. I’ll stay here with him.

No, no, I’ll stay. You all want to stay. Then let’s leave him here and the three of us will go to the queen.

Three ladies leave. Tamino wakes up.

Tamino

Am I safe? Someone’s coming. Let’s hide.

Papageno

Catching birds, that’s what I do! I’m cheerful and energetic. I would like to marry a pretty girl.

Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja

Tamino, who had been hiding, came out and approached Papageno.

Tamino

Who are you? I’m a prince from a faraway land.

Papageno

I am a human being. I give the birds I catch to the Queen of the Night and the Three Ladies. They exchange the birds for food. That’s how I make my living.

Tamino

So you killed that snake?

Papageno

What the hell? Ugh, there’s a dead snake. Yeah, that’s right. I killed a snake with my bare hands. I am a powerful man.

Three ladies appear.

Three ladies
Papageno! The Queen of the Night has given you this. Water instead of wine. A stone instead of sugar. Golden locks instead of figs. You know your punishment. You lied to him.

Papageno has a lock on his mouth and can’t speak.

Three ladies
Young man. It was we who saved you. This is the painting of Pamina. If you are moved by it, you will find happiness and honor. Then we will leave for a while. Think it over, Papageno.

Three ladies leave. Tamino looks at the painting.

Tamino

What a beautiful picture. My heart is on fire. Is this love? Yes, this is love.

Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön

Three ladies return to the two of them.

Three ladies
Please be brave. The Queen of the Night says that you will save her daughter. Pamina, the Queen’s daughter, has been abducted by the Devil. She is being held captive in a carefully guarded castle near here.

Tamino

I will save Pamina.

Three ladies
The Queen of the Night is here.

The mountain opens to the left and right. The Queen of the Night appears, sitting on her throne.

The Queen of the Night

Do not be afraid, young man. You have a pure and beautiful heart. It is young people like you that comfort my heart.

O zitt’re nicht, mein lieber Sohn!

I am distressed. I am troubled because my daughter has been stolen. The villain has escaped. I can still see the scene before me. I want to rescue my daughter, but my strength is too weak. If you go to rescue my daughter, you will be her savior.

Zum Leiden bin ich auserkohren

The Queen of the Night and Three ladies leave.

Tamino

Is what just happened a dream or an illusion?

Papageno point to the lock on his mouth.

Papageno

Hm! hm! hm! hm!

Tamino

I would like to help you, but I don’t have the strength.

Three ladies returned.

Three ladies
Papageno. The Queen has forgiven you. Let us remove your locks. The Queen has a gift for the Prince. The magic flute will protect you.

Tamino is given the magic flute.

Papageno

Well, let’s get out of here.

Three ladies
Stop. You go with him.

Papageno

No, thank you. You said Pamina was being held by a terrible man. I don’t want to go there.

Three ladies
The Prince will protect you. We will give Papageno a silver bell. The magic flute and the silver bell will protect you all.

Tamino

How do I get to the castle where Pamina is being held captive?

Three ladies
Three child-spirits will lead you to the castle. Goodbye. I’ll see you again.

Tamino and Papageno depart.

Scene2

A room in Sarastro’s palace

Pamina, bound with chains by Monostatos, is brought into the room.

Pamina

You have no kind heart. Just kill me.

Pamina faints. Papageno enters through the window of the room. Papageno and Monostatos meet.

Papageno

Huh? Creepy guy.

Monostatos
You’re the weird one.

They both run from the room. Pamina wakes up. Papageno returns to the room.

Papageno

I’m an idiot for being surprised. There are black birds, so it’s only natural that there are black people. Oh, it’s a girl who looks just like her picture.

Pamina

That’s me in the picture. Why are you here?

Papageno

The Queen of the Night thought the Prince was trustworthy. The Prince saw you in your painting and decided to save you. I came here with him. But we couldn’t find you, so I came here before him. Come on, let’s go.

Pamina

Wait, what if you are a bad person?

Papageno

That’s terrible. If you were thinking about loving someone, you wouldn’t think like that.

Pamina

That’s right. You’re a kind person.

Papageno

I’m glad you said that, but I don’t have a girlfriend.

Pamina

If a man can feel love, he has a tender heart. Come, let us experience the joy of love.

Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen

Papageno

It is the role of the woman to share the radiance of love. Man and woman go hand in hand to enter God’s world.

Pamina and Papageno leave the room.

Scene3

A temple with three gates in the forest

Three child-spirits show Tamino the way.

Three child-spirits
Follow this path. Listen to our teachings. Calm your mind, be patient, and be silent.

Zum Ziele führt dich diese Bahn

Tamino

Thank you, wise children. There are three gates. On the gate it says here is wisdom, work and art. Let’s go through this gate.

As Tamino is about to pass through the gate, he hears a voice out of nowhere telling him to go back.

Speaker of the temple
Bold stranger, where are you going?

Wo willst du kühner Fremdling, hin?

Tamino

I heard there are some bad people here. I’m here to rescue Pamina. I was asked to do this by a mother whose daughter was taken from her.

Speaker of the temple
You are wrong. But I must be silent. I can’t say more now.

Tamino

Is Pamina safe?

Speaker of the temple
She’s fine.

Speaker of the temple leaves.

Tamino

Pamina is safe! Let us make a sound to honor you, oh gods.

Tamino plays the magic flute.

Tamino

What a magical flute sound. The animals will rejoice to hear it. But Pamina is not here.

Wie stark ist nicht dein Zauberton

He makes a flute sound. There is no response. He sounds it again. Papageno answers with a note.

Tamino

Papageno got to see Pamina!

Tamino leaves to look for them. Papageno and Pamina appear.

Pamina and Papageno
Let’s hurry. If we don’t see Tamino soon, they’ll get us.

Schnelle Füsse, rascher Muth

The sound of Tamino’s flute. Papageno answers with a note.

Papageno

It’s the sound of Tamino’s flute! We’ll see him soon.

Monostatos, with slaves in tow, tries to capture Pamina and Papageno.

Papageno

Let’s ring the silver bell!

Monostatos and his slaves dance happily. They leave.

Pamina and Papageno
If a respectable man could find the silver bell, he would easily have no enemies. And in the best peace, he will live without enemies.

Suddenly, brave music plays.

Pamina

Sarastro is coming.

Papageno

I am afraid. I just want to run away.

A procession of retinue. Sarastro follows in a chariot drawn by six lions.

All
Long live Sarastro. It is to him that we surrender ourselves with joy. May he enjoy his life as a wise man forever.

Es lebe Sarastro!

Pamina kneels before Sarastro.

Pamina

I have sinned. I have tried to escape your power. But I’m not guilty. I only wanted to escape from the black man who wooed me.

Sarastro

Stand up. You are in love with a man. I won’t force you to love, but I can’t set you free.

Monostatos arrives with Tamino in tow.

Monostatos
I caught the suspicious man who had snuck in.

Pamina

You must be Tamino! How wonderful!

Tamino

We meet at last!

Tamino and Pamina immediately fall in love and embrace. When Monostatos sees them together, he is furious.

Sarastro

Take Monostatos with you. Slap the soles of his feet 77 times. I must punish him.

The retinue takes Monostatos.

Sarastro

Now lead them to the temple of our ordeal.

They put a hood over the heads of Tamino and Papageno. The voices of the retinue echo in praise of Sarastro.

The Magic Flute, Opera: Act2, Synopsis

Scene1

Pyramid in the forest

Sarastro and the priests gather.

Marsch der Priester March of the priests

Sarastro

The gods have decided that Pamina and Tamino should be united. As they did when I separated Pamina from her haughty mother, so the gods have decided. Tamino will overcome ordeals and become a man who will protect our temples of wisdom, rewarding virtue and punishing vice.

Speaker of the temple
Will Tamino be able to survive the ordeal? He’s a prince. He can’t do it, can he?

Sarastro

He is a prince, but he is a human. He can survive the ordeal because he is a human. Even if Tamino doesn’t survive the ordeal, he gets to the gods before we do.

God of Isis and Osiris. Watch over the young couple.

O Isis und Osiris schenket

Scene2

Garden of the Temple

At night, lightning is heard in the distance. A collapsed pyramid is seen. Tamino and Papageno, wearing hoods, are brought in.

Tamino

Papageno, are you near me?

Papageno

Of course I’m here. I’m very frightened!

The two priests came to them with light.

Priest
Young man. The ordeal you face is deadly, but are you ready for it? You can turn back now.

Tamino

I am willing to go through any ordeal to get Pamina. Even if it means risking my life!

Priest
Are you ready for the ordeal? We have a beautiful lady for you. Her name is Papagena.

Papageno

I won’t do it! But, Papagena… I’ll try.

The two priests
You will be put to the ordeal of silence.

Protect yourselves from the wiles of women. Even the wise can be deceived. In the end you will be forsaken, and death and despair await you.

Bewahret euch vor Weibertücken

The two priests leave. Three ladies appear.

Three ladies
What’s going on? You are in danger in this terrible place. Let’s get out of here. Don’t believe those men’s crap.

Papageno

Are we in danger?

Tamino

Don’t talk. Silence.

A great flash of lightning; Three ladies leave. The priests return.

Priest
You overcame the ordeal of silence. You have overcome the temptation with determination and manhood. Now let’s move on to the next ordeal.

They put hoods on Tamino and Papageno and move them to another location.

Papageno

Why do I have to go through all this terrible trouble to meet a pretty girl?

Scene3

Beautiful garden

The moon is shining, the garden is full of beautiful flowers. Pamina sleeps in the pavilion.

Monostatos
Anyone can be happy when they fall in love. It’s hell to be without a woman forever. I want to kiss her. Moon, please stay hidden. If you can’t, close your eyes.s.

Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden

With a flash of lightning, the Queen of the Night appears.

The Queen of the Night

Go away!

Monostatos hides in the shadows. Pamina wakes up.

The Queen of the Night

What has happened to the man I sent here? If this continues, the relationship between mother and child will be severed.

Pamina

He is led by people who serve the gods. I’m sad to see you go. I would go anywhere if you would protect me.

The Queen of the Night

I already have no power to protect you. Since my husband passed away, my power is gone. Your late father said he would leave his personal treasures to me and you. But I gave the most important one, the power of the sun, to Sarastro.

Pamina

Sarastro is an honorable man.

The Queen of the Night

Pick up the dagger. You must kill Sarastro and take the power of the sun.

Hell’s vengeance boils in my heart, death and despair burn around me! If you do not kill Sarastro, I will no longer be your mother. I will disown you forever!

Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen

The Queen of the Night leaves.

Pamina

I can’t do anything terrible.

Monostatos steps out of the shadows and takes the dagger from her.

Monostatos
I can do it for you. You and your mother will be spared, right? But on one condition. You must love me.

Pamina

My heart belongs to Tamino.

Monostatos
Then I’ll kill you!

Sarastro appears.

Sarastro

I would punish you, but this dagger is here because Pamina’s mother is an evil person. The Queen of the Night is to blame. Therefore, I will not punish you. Leave!

Monostatos
In that case, I’ll side with her mother.

Monostatos runs away.

Pamina

Please forgive my mother. She seems to be having a hard time since I’ve been away.

Sarastro

I know. We don’t need revenge, we need love. The gods will give the young man strength and courage. And you will join him.

There is no vengeful heart in this sacred temple. Even if someone goes astray, we will guide him with love.

In diesen heil’gen Hallen

Scene4

Hall of the Temple

Tamino and Papageno are brought into the hall.

Priest
You are to be silent. If you break the silence, there will be thunder. At the sound of the trumpet, you may leave the hall.

The priest leaves.

Papageno

If I had stayed in the forest, I could have listened to the birds.

Tamino

Shh!

Papageno

If it’s just me talking to myself, no problem, right? I’m thirsty! They won’t give me a drop of water here.

An old woman comes in with water.

Papageno

Old lady, can I have some water? You’re very hospitable. Here, sit down. How old are you? Do you have a boyfriend?

Old woman
I am 18 years old and my boyfriend is 10 years older than me. His name is Papageno. He’s here.

Papageno

What is your name?

Thunder rumbles. The old woman leaves.

Papageno

I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t say a word.

Three child spirits descend from the ceiling of the hall, along with a table full of food.

Three child-spirits
Tamino, Papageno. We have met again. We have come to see you because Sarastro has asked us to return the magic flute and the silver bell.

Seyd uns zum zweytenmal willkommen

Papageno

Tamino, don’t you want some? It’s very tasty.

Three child spirits leave. Tamino blows on the magic flute. Pamina enters the hall.

Pamina

I heard a sound and was led here. Why do you look so sad when I finally meet you? Why don’t you say anything to me?

Tamino

Aah! (signaling for her to leave)

Pamina

Papageno, tell me. What’s wrong with Tamino?

Papageno

Mmm-hmm. (Puts food in his mouth and signals for her to leave.)

Pamina

I know. Love is gone, isn’t it? The joy of love will never return. Tamino, look at me. These tears are for you.

Ach ich fühls, es ist verschwunden

Pamina leaves. Papageno eats and Tamino is sad in silence.

Papageno

Tamino, even I can keep my mouth shut.

A trumpet signal sounds.

Papageno

That’s our cue. I’ll be right there.

Tamino

(Signal to follow me.)

Tamino leaves the hall and Papageno remains in the hall. Suddenly a lion appears and Papageno screams. Tamino returns and chases the lion away with the magic flute. They leave the hall.

Scene5

The pyramids

Priests perform a ritual.

The priests
Oh God of Isis and Osiris, what a joy.

O Isis und Osiris, welche Wonne!

Sarastro enters. Tamino enters after him.

Sarastro

Throughout the ordeal so far, you have remained manly and silent. From now on you must continue on the dangerous path of asceticism. Finally, you must greet Pamina.

Pamina, wearing a hood, is brought in.

Pamina

My beloved, will I ever see you again?

Soll ich dich, Theurer! nicht mehr seh’n?

Tamino

Please believe me. I feel the same way you do. I will survive this ordeal and meet you.

Tamino and Pamina go to different places.


Papageno is lost.

Papageno

Tamino, where are you? Don’t leave me! Where the devil am I? Oh, I shouldn’t have come here.

The Speaker of the temple appears.

Speaker of the temple
Had I not come, you would have been condemned to wander the dark lands forever. The gods have forgiven you.

Papageno

It’s okay. There are a lot of people like me in the world. Now I want a glass of wine.

Speaker of the temple
All right. Wine.

Papageno

The wine is good, I am happy. I’ll ring the silver bell.

The only thing I want is a lover or a wife. I would be happy if I had a woman by my side who was kind to me. But there are so many beautiful girls, and no one will love me.

Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen wünscht Papageno sich!

Speaker of the temple leaves. An old woman comes with a cane.

Old woman
Swear to me that the two of you will live together. If you don’t decide soon, you’ll be here for the rest of your life!

Papageno

I promise. Until I find a pretty girl.

When Papageno takes the old woman’s hand, she turns into a girl. Lightning strikes.

Speaker of the temple
Papagena, go back. It’s too soon. Papageno. If you don’t withdraw, you will be punished.

Papageno

I’d rather be punished than back down. Whoa!

Papageno falls into the abyss.

Scene6

A small garden

Three child-spirits
Soon the sun that heralds the morning will light the golden path. Dark superstitions will fade away, and soon the wise will triumph.

Bald prangt, den Morgen zu verkünden

Pamina is going insane with grief.

Pamina has a dagger.

Pamina

(Looking at the dagger) So you are my bridegroom. You will end my suffering. It’s better to die than to suffer for love.

Three child-spirits
Don’t do it. He loves you. Let’s go to Tamino.

Scene7

The Two Big Mountains

One mountain is on fire and the other mountain has a waterfall. A barefoot Tamino. He stands at the door to challenge the ordeal. Pamina appears.

Tamino

Let’s go through the ordeal together. A woman who is not afraid of the night and death is worthy of our world.

Pamina

I’ll go with you. You have to blow the magic flute. The flute belonged to my late father. The sound of the flute will protect us.

Tamino and Pamina face the ordeal. They walk through fire and water. They are surrounded by light.

Scene8

A garden with a tree

Papageno

Papagena, I want to see her. There is no answer from her. It’s hopeless. Someone stop me before I hang myself. Let’s count. One, two, three. But no one will stop me. Enough is enough!

Papagena! Papagena!

Three child-spirits
Stop it. Ring the silver bell.

Papageno

That’s right! Let’s ring the silver bell.

Papagena appears.

Papageno and Papagena.
Pa, pa, pa. What a joy. God gives us beautiful children. Little Papageno. Little Papagena.

It’s the best feeling. Little children playing with their parents. The parents feel the same joy as the children. They are happy to see a child who looks like them. What could be happier than that?

Pa… pa… pa…

Scene9

Outside the temple, night

Monostatos
The temple is here. Let’s sneak in quietly. Don’t forget your promise to me.

The Queen of the Night

I am a woman of my word. Pamina is yours.

Three ladies
May your vengeance be served.

Scene10

The Temple of the Sun

Thunder rumbles. The dark stage is bathed in bright light. People gather around Sarastro.

The Queen of the Night

Our power is broken. We shall sink into the eternal night.

Sarastro

The sun had banished the night and shattered its power.

All
Hail to the purified. We thank you, God of Osiris, God of Isis. May beauty and wisdom shine like an eternal crown.

Heil sey euch Geweihten!

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