Die Zauber­flöte

ACT ONE
IN A FARAWAY DARK FOREST …
On the run from a dangerous giant snake, Tamino is rescued at the last minute by the three ladies of the Queen of the Night. When he wakes from his unconsciousness, Tamino sees Papageno first and believes him to be his savior. Papageno, a birdcatcher in search of love, does not clear up the misunderstanding. The three ladies return and punish Papageno for his lies with muteness. They show Tamino a picture of Pamina, the Queen of the Night's daughter, with whom Tamino immediately falls in love.
Shortly afterwards, the Queen of the Night herself appears and tells Tamino about the abduction of her daughter by Sarastro. Tamino enthusiastically complies with her request to free Pamina.
The three ladies give Papageno back his voice and instruct him to accompany Tamino. As protection against danger, they give Tamino a magic flute and Papageno is given magic bells. The three ladies announce that three boys will show Tamino and Papageno the way to Sarastro.


Pamina is harassed by Sarastro's slave Monostatos. Papageno, who has been separated from Tamino on the way to Sarastro, is as frightened by the strange appearance of Monostatos as the latter is by him. Alone with Pamina, Papageno announces the imminent arrival of their savior Tamino. He himself is sad that his search for love has so far been unsuccessful. Pamina comforts him.

The three boys have led Tamino to the gates of Sarastro's kingdom. Although he is denied entry for the time being, Tamino begins to doubt what the Queen of the Night has said about Sarastro. He begins to play his magic flute and enchants nature with his music. Meanwhile, Papageno is on the run with Pamina, but is caught by Monostatos and his helpers. Papageno's magic bells put the pursuers out of action.
Then Sarastro himself appears with his entourage. Monostatos brings Tamino. Tamino and Pamina's long-awaited encounter is short-lived. On Sarastro's instructions, they must first undergo a series of tests.


SECOND ACT
THE TEST OF SILENCE
Tamino and Papageno are to practise silence. The appearance of the ladies and their warnings put them both to the test. Tamino remains steadfast, Papageno babbles away.
Meanwhile, Monostatos once again tries to approach the sleeping Pamina. The Queen of the Night appears and orders her daughter to kill Sarastro. Pamina is desperate. Sarastro tries to comfort Pamina by rejecting any thoughts of revenge.


THE TEST OF TEMPTATION
Tamino and Papageno must resist all temptation: no talking, no women, no food! In addition to the magic flute and magic bells, the three boys also bring food, which Tamino once again steadfastly resists. Even Pamina is unable to elicit a single word from Tamino, which she interprets as a rejection. She sadly laments the cooling of Tamino's love for her.
Before the final big test, Pamina and Tamino are brought together one last time to say goodbye. Papageno is not admitted to any more trials. Meanwhile, he wants nothing more than a glass of wine - and dreams of his great love.
Pamina, on the other hand, believes she has lost Tamino forever. In her despair, she wants to end her life, but is prevented from doing so by the three boys, who assure her that Tamino still loves her. Happy and relieved, Pamina accepts their invitation to see Tamino again. Reunited at last, Tamino and Pamina undergo the final test together.


THE TEST OF FIRE AND WATER
The music of The Magic Flute and their shared love allow Tamino and Pamina to overcome their own fears and conquer the dangers of fire and water.
Papageno, meanwhile, is still unsuccessful in his search for his great love. Desperate, he too wants to end his life, which is once again prevented by the three boys. Papageno's dream finally comes true: together with his Papagena, he dreams of a wealth of children.


MEANWHILE …
… the Queen of Night, her three ladies and the turncoat Monostatos are preparing an assault on Sarastro and his followers, but their attack fails. Tamino and Pamina have completed their trials and are finally united.