Explore the heart of every story: our synopses offer a clear guide to the plot and the conflicts that move its characters.
Act One
Tamino has lost his way. Threatened by a serpent, he faints. Three ladies kill the monster. They are smitten with the Prince and hurry off to tell their Queen of the young man's arrival. Papageno, a bird-catcher, appears. When Tamino comes to, Papageno introduces himself to him: he catches all kinds of birds for the star-flaming Queen. When Tamino assumes Papageno saved him from the snake, Papageno boasts of the deed, until the ladies return and punish his lie by locking his mouth shut. They tell Tamino that the Queen's daughter has been abducted by a villain and that the Queen's hopes now lie with the Prince. Shown a portrait of Pamina, Tamino instantly falls in love. The ladies announce the Queen's arrival.
The Queen makes clear to Tamino how deeply her daughter's absence pains her. If he rescues Pamina from Sarastro's clutches, then she will be his. For the journey to Sarastro's castle, the ladies give Tamino a magic flute and Papageno a set of magic bells. Three boys are assigned to show them the way.
Pamina tries to escape but is caught by Monostatos, her guard, who threatens her. She faints. Papageno, who has gone on ahead of Tamino, appears and encounters Monostatos. Both take fright – Monostatos flees. When Pamina wakes, Papageno recognises her as the Queen of the Night's daughter and tells her that a Prince loves her and is on his way to her. Pamina is delighted. Papageno confesses that he, too, would like a companion of his own.
Guided by the boys, Tamino encounters one of Sarastro's speakers, who tells him that Sarastro is not the evil tyrant he imagines him to be. He says nothing about the reasons for Pamina's abduction. Unseen voices confirm to Tamino that Pamina is still alive. Tamino takes heart and plays his flute.
Pamina and Papageno try to escape from Sarastro's realm but are intercepted by Monostatos, who betrays them to Sarastro. Pamina explains to Sarastro why she tried to escape and complains of Monostatos's advances. Sarastro claims to see deep into her heart, but refuses to set her free. Monostatos then brings Tamino before Sarastro: Tamino and Pamina see each other for the first time. When Monostatos tries to separate them and demands a reward for capturing the fugitives, Sarastro punishes him instead. Sarastro then orders his priests to lead Tamino and Papageno to the Temple of Trials.
Act Two
Sarastro deems Tamino capable of admission to the Sanctuary of the Greatest Light. Tamino readily agrees to undertake the harsh trials, but Papageno only consents once he is promised a girl as his reward. The first trial requires them to remain silent. The three ladies appear and try to lure Tamino and Papageno away from Sarastro's realm, but in vain. The earth opens up and the ladies disappear.
Monostatos makes another attempt to take Pamina by force, but the Queen of the Night intervenes. She demands that her daughter kill Sarastro and reclaim the Circle of the Sun, lost to her when her husband bequeathed it to Sarastro instead. Monostatos, having overheard, tries to blackmail Pamina once the Queen has disappeared. He claims that her only hope of saving herself now is to love him. Sarastro arrives and sends Monostatos away, telling Pamina that his realm is ruled by love and friendship, not revenge.
Unlike Tamino, Papageno struggles with the vow of silence. He is also thirsty. An elderly, bird-like woman approaches with a glass of water. The two begin to talk. She claims to have a lover: Papageno. A thunderclap – and she disappears.
The boys return to Tamino and Papageno the magic flute and bells that had been taken from them. They encourage them to eat and gather their strength and remind them to keep silent. While Papageno eats and Tamino plays his flute, Pamina arrives. When neither man speaks to her, she is distraught.
The priests increasingly regard Tamino as worthy of joining their ranks. Before the final trials begin, Sarastro brings Tamino and Pamina together once more. Papageno is left behind. He is afraid and wishes he'd never embarked on the journey with Tamino. When he is brought a glass of wine, the bird-like figure appears again: Papagena. But Papageno and Papagena are separated once more.
Pamina is desperate: she mistakes Tamino's silence for rejection and resolves to end her life. The boys stop her, assuring her that Tamino truly loves her.
Two armoured men prepare Tamino for the final trial. Pamina finds Tamino. She leads the way, and the two of them, protected by the flute, pass through the trials of fire and water. Papageno wanders in search of Papagena. When no one comes to his aid, he decides to hang himself. At the last moment, the three boys remind him of his bells, which he can use to call her. He plays them, and Papagena appears.
The Queen of the Night plots her revenge with the ladies and Monostatos, but they are swallowed up amid lightning and thunder. A chorus celebrates the strength of the Initiates and promises them eternal beauty and wisdom.