Act I
Tamino, a young prince lost in an unknown land, is pursued by a dragon. Three young ladies rescue him. Charmed by the young man, each of these ladies wants the other two to depart to inform their Queen of his presence. Finally, they all depart. Tamino awakens. A strange creature, Papageno, who earns his keep by catching birds for the Queen of the Night arrives and pretends he killed the dragon. The three ladies appear and punish Papageno for his lies. They give Tamino a portrait of Pamina, the Queen's daughter, and he falls in love with the portrait. They tell him that she was abducted by Sarastro and Tamino promises to rescue her. The Queen of the Night arrives and promises him Pamina will be his forever if he will succeed in rescuing her. The ladies present Tamino with a Magic Flute which will protect and sustain him and Papageno in their rescue quest.
Inside Sarastro's palace, Monostatos, an underling of Sarastro's, captures Pamina and runs away upon the arrival of Papageno who instantly recognizes Pamina and tells her that a prince will come to rescue her. But the conversation brings sorrow to Papageno: he has no one to love.
Three Boys arrive with Tamino in Sarastro's temple and advise him to be steadfast, tolerant, and discreet. The Speaker tells Tamino that Sarastro is not the monster depicted by the Queen of the Night and that Pamina is safe. Papageno and Pamina urge to find Tamino, praying to be protected from their enemy's fury, when they are stopped by Monostatos. Unexpectedly, when Pamina kneels before him and apologize for her escape, Sarastro just has cheerful words. He lets her be with Tamino, and, after having punished Monostatos, orders that they be tested and purified in the temple.
Act II
The priests, led by Sarastro, enter and ask Isis and Osiris to guide the steps of the two young lovers. The Priests tells Tamino and Papageno that they must remain silent. Suddenly, the three ladies appear, tempting Tamino and Papageno to break their silence vow but to no avail. Sarastro returns, and congratulates Tamino on his steadfastness and manly conduct. Monostatos appears trying again to seduce Pamina when the Queen arrives with a clap of thunder. Monostatos hides himself as the Queen pulls out a knife, asks her daughter to kill Sarastro, and disappears. Sarastro steps in and announces to Pamina that he will revenge against her mother. Pamina arrives but Tamino cannot speak to her because of his oath of silence. The three boys appear observing Pamina who is preparing to commit suicide. Pamina now hears the boys telling her Tamino loves her and she runs to follow him in the water and fire trails. Papageno is all alone, calling in vain for his Papagena. Just in the nick of time, the three boys appear, halting his suicide attempt. They remind him of his magic bells and once he plays them, Papagena appears. Monostatos, the Queen and her three ladies fail in their final attempt to destroy the temple. Sarastro and his priests thank the Gods. All’s well that ends well.
