Overture
Sarastro the wise man is reading a wonderful book called The Magic Flute to some children: “In a far-off land Prince Tamino is living a dull and weary existence when his father the King pointedly tells him it is time for him to do something with his life. The knights blindfold Tamino, give him a bow and arrows and send him on his way…”

Act I
Prince Tamino is attacked by a huge and terrifying serpent and he loses consciousness. The Three Ladies appear and they kill the snake. Tamino is saved from death, while his saviours argue as to who will protect the youth. Failing to come to an agreement they leave to tell their sovereign, the Queen of the Night. Tamino awakes and sees a strange man –Papageno the bird catcher. He catches birds for the Queen of the Night. The Prince assumes that Papageno had saved him and Papageno does not deny it. But Papageno will be punished for lying: the Three Ladies return and place a mask on him with a gag. Tamino is given a portrait of an incredibly beautiful girl. Tamino falls in love with her immediately. The Ladies tell him that Pamina has been abducted by the powerful and cruel Sarastro. The Queen of the Night appears amid thunder and lightning. She begs Tamino to save her daughter and as a reward promises to bless their union. The Three Ladies remove Papageno’s mask and make him swear that he will never lie again. They give Tamino a magic flute that will help him overcome any obstacles on the way, and to Papageno they give bells that can delight the heart. Together with the Three Boys, Tamino and Papageno set out on their way.
At Sarastro’s palace three slaves are mocking the Moor Monostatos for having let his captive escape. Suddenly Monostatos appears with the fugitive, and he sends everyone away so he can be alone with Pamina. Meanwhile, Papageno sneaks into Pamina’s room, and when Monostatos comes in to kiss her they unexpectedly meet and flee from each other.
Distractedly, Pamina calls for her mother, but then she awakes and remembers what has happened and is left in despair.
Meanwhile Papageno returns to Pamina and explains that he has been sent by her mother, the Queen of the Night. Papageno tells the girl of Prince Tamino’s love for her –Pamina is perturbed by the very word “love”. Together they flee. On the way Papageno complains that he has no beloved.
The Three Boys lead Tamino to Sarastro’s temple. A priest comes out of the temple of wisdom to meet him. He informs Tamino that the Queen of the Night has deceived him: Sarastro is no deceitful magician, but a wise and just ruler who has abducted Pamina at the decree of the gods. This is all that the priest can tell Tamino. The Prince will know the whole story only after the blessing in the temple.
The youth asks the gods to tell him if Pamina is alive. Mysterious voices reply that she is safe and sound. The delighted Tamino plays the magic flute in reverence to the gods. Papageno’s reed-pipe sounds in response. Papageno and Pamina also hear the flute being played by Tamino and hurry to him, but they are stopped by the Moor Monostatos who has followed them. Papageno’s magic bells save the fugitives. Hypnotised by the music the Moor falls asleep. But Sarastro himself appears before Pamina and Papageno. Pamina, who has decided to tell only the truth, admits to the sorcerer that she tried to flee, and complains at Monostatos’ solicitation. Sarastro feels pity for her. He knows that she is in love with Tamino. And Monostatos, who has since managed to seize Prince Tamino, receives sixty lashes instead of a reward. But at Sarastro’s command Tamino and Pamina must be separated as the Prince and his companion Papageno must face further trials.
The priest and the orator blindfold Tamino and Papageno and lead them into the temple.

Act II
Tamino and Papageno are left alone in pitch darkness. Thunder can be heard. Seeking a way out, the two friends meet the orator and priest carrying torches. They promise happiness to Tamino and Papageno (who will find his life partner here) on the condition that both enter the kingdom of wisdom and love. To do so they must pass a test of silence. The Three Ladies appear, trying to make Tamino and Papageno speak. Papageno is about to speak, but Tamino stops him. The priest and orator return, and the Three Ladies disappear amid a peal of thunder which makes Papageno quake. The orator congratulates Tamino on passing his first test.
Monostatos steals upon Pamina, who is asleep in the summer house in the garden, in order to kiss her. But the sudden appearance of the Queen of the Night forces him to hide. The Queen of the Night gives her daughter a dagger and tells her she must kill Sarastro, threatening to denounce her if she does not obey. After the Queen of the Night disappears, Monostatos, who has heard everything, once again tries to solicit Pamina’s love. On receiving a vehement rejection he tries to kill her. She is saved by the sudden appearance of Sarastro. The magician drives out Monostatos, who leaves to seek the protection of the Queen of the Night, while Sarastro tells Pamina her mother is waiting in despair and she herself will find happiness with Tamino.
The priest and the orator prepare Tamino and Papageno for their second test – separation. They order them to be silent, but the babbling Papageno cannot keep quiet and complains of thirst. As a punishment an old woman appears. She gives Papageno some water; she says she is eighteen years old and is in love with him. In horror Papageno throws water in the old woman’s face and she flees to the peal of thunder.
The Three Boys bring Tamino and Papageno food and give them their musical instruments. In silence Tamino takes the flute and Papageno starts to eat. Even when Pamina comes Tamino remains silent. Pamina tries to find out what has happened from Papageno, but he too remains silent. Stunned, the girl falls into despair and wants to kill herself.
However, the trials must continue no matter what. Papageno and Tamino have to go but Papageno cannot tear himself away from the food. Tamino tries to gain his attention by forceful means but in the end he abandons his attempts and leaves. The abandoned Papageno is surrounded by lions. Frightened to death he calls Tamino, who by playing the flute saves the luckless bird-catcher. Papageno from now on promises to listen to Tamino’s every word.
As a result of the trials Papageno finds himself imprisoned. He is lonely, afraid and hungry. He cries in despair. He tells the orator that he prefers earthly pleasures to heavenly ones. His wish is miraculously fulfilled and he is given a glass of wine. But Papageno is still not happy: he needs someone to love. Once again the old woman appears before Papageno. Marrying her is the only way to gain his freedom. Papageno agrees –and at that moment the old woman transforms into the beautiful young Papagena. Papageno rushes to her, but the orator stands between them and Papageno falls to the ground.
Pamina, having lost her faith in Tamino’s love, wishes to stab herself with the dagger given to her by her mother, but the Three Boys prevent her from destroying herself, convinced that Tamino loves her. They help her find her beloved and Pamina tells Tamino the secret behind the magic flute. They are left to face the trial of fire and water. Embracing each other, to the sounds of the magic flute Tamino and Pamina travel this arduous and dangerous path. Their trials are at an end.
Papageno, too, longs for his beloved, and in despair he thinks of killing himself. The Three Boys come to his aid. Taking their advice, he uses the magic bells to bring back Papagena. Both are happy.
Then the Queen of the Night and Monostatos, to whom she has promised her daughter, and the Three Ladies prepare to attack Sarastro’s temple and destroy it. But Sarastro discovers the plot and the Queen of the Night and her suite all disappear into darkness. Light, wisdom and love are triumphant.

The opera begins with the overture, which Mozart composed last.

Act 1

Scene 1: A rough, rocky landscape

Tamino, a handsome prince lost in a distant land, is pursued by a serpent and asks the gods to save him (aria: "Zu Hilfe! Zu Hilfe!" segued into trio: "Stirb, Ungeheuer, durch uns're Macht!"). He faints, and three ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, appear and kill the serpent. They find the unconscious prince extremely attractive, and each of them tries to convince the other two to leave. After arguing, they reluctantly decide to leave together.

Tamino wakes up, and is surprised to find himself still alive. Papageno enters dressed as a bird. He describes his life as a bird-catcher, complaining he has no wife or girlfriend (aria: "Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja"). Tamino introduces himself to Papageno, thinking Papageno killed the serpent. Papageno happily takes the credit – claiming he strangled it with his bare hands. The three ladies suddenly reappear and instead of giving Papageno wine, cake and figs, they give him water, a stone and place a padlock over his mouth as a warning not to lie. They give Tamino a portrait of the Queen of the Night's daughter Pamina, with whom Tamino falls instantly in love (aria: "Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön" / This image is enchantingly beautiful).

The ladies return and tell Tamino that Pamina has been captured by Sarastro, whom they describe as a powerful, evil demon. Tamino vows to rescue Pamina. The Queen of the Night appears and promises Tamino that Pamina will be his if he rescues her from Sarastro (Recitative and aria: "O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn" / Oh, tremble not, my dear son!). The Queen leaves and the ladies remove the padlock from Papageno's mouth with a warning not to lie any more. They give Tamino a magic flute which has the power to change sorrow into joy. They tell Papageno to go with Tamino, and give him (Papageno) magic bells for protection. The ladies introduce three child-spirits, who will guide Tamino and Papageno to Sarastro's temple. Together Tamino and Papageno set forth (Quintet: "Hm! Hm! Hm! Hm!").

Scene 2: A room in Sarastro's palace

Pamina is dragged in by Sarastro's slaves, apparently having tried to escape. Monostatos, a blackamoor and chief of the slaves, orders the slaves to chain her and leave him alone with her. Papageno, sent ahead by Tamino to help find Pamina, enters (Trio: "Du feines Täubchen, nur herein!"). Monostatos and Papageno are each terrified by the other's strange appearance and both flee. Papageno returns and announces to Pamina that her mother has sent Tamino to save her. Pamina rejoices to hear that Tamino is in love with her. She offers sympathy and hope to Papageno, who longs for a wife. Together they reflect on the joys and sacred duties of marital love (duet: "Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen").

Finale. Scene 3: A grove in front of a temple

The three child-spirits lead Tamino to Sarastro's temple, promising that if he remains patient, wise and steadfast, he will succeed in rescuing Pamina (Quartet: "Zum Ziele führt dich diese Bahn"). Tamino approaches the left-hand entrance and is denied access by voices from within. The same happens when he goes to the entrance on the right. But from the entrance in the middle, an old priest appears and lets Tamino in. (The old priest is referred to as "The Speaker" in the libretto, but his role is a singing role.) He tells Tamino that Sarastro is benevolent, not evil, and that he should not trust the Queen of the Night. He promises that Tamino's confusion will be lifted when Tamino approaches the temple in a spirit of friendship. Tamino plays his magic flute. Animals appear and dance, enraptured, to his music. Tamino hears Papageno's pipes sounding offstage, and hurries off to find him (aria: "Wie stark ist nicht dein Zauberton").

Papageno and Pamina enter, searching for Tamino (trio: "Schnelle Füße, rascher Mut"). They are recaptured by Monostatos and his slaves. Papageno plays his magic bells, and Monostatos and his slaves begin to dance, and exit the stage, still dancing, mesmerised by the beauty of the music (chorus: "Das klinget so herrlich"). Papageno and Pamina hear the sound of Sarastro's retinue approaching. Papageno is frightened and asks Pamina what they should say. She answers that they must tell the truth. Sarastro enters, with a crowd of followers. (chorus: "Es lebe Sarastro!")

Pamina falls at Sarastro's feet and confesses that she tried to escape because Monostatos had forced his attentions on her. Sarastro receives her kindly and assures her that he wishes only for her happiness. But he refuses to return her to her mother, whom he describes as a proud, headstrong woman, and a bad influence on those around her. Pamina, he says, must be guided by a man.

Monostatos brings in Tamino. The two lovers see one another for the first time and embrace, causing indignation among Sarastro's followers. Monostatos tells Sarastro that he caught Papageno and Pamina trying to escape, and demands a reward. Sarastro, however, punishes Monostatos for his lustful behaviour toward Pamina, and sends him away. He announces that Tamino must undergo trials of wisdom in order to become worthy as Pamina's husband. The priests declare that virtue and righteousness will sanctify life and make mortals like gods ("Wenn Tugend und Gerechtigkeit").

Act 2

Scene 1: A grove of palms

The council of priests of Isis and Osiris, headed by Sarastro, enters to the sound of a solemn march. Sarastro tells the priests that Tamino is ready to undergo the ordeals that will lead to enlightenment. He invokes the gods Isis and Osiris, asking them to protect Tamino and Pamina (Aria and chorus: "O Isis und Osiris").

Scene 2: The courtyard of the Temple of Ordeal

Tamino and Papageno are led in by two priests for the first trial. The two priests advise Tamino and Papageno of the dangers ahead of them, warn them of women's wiles and swear them to silence (Duet: "Bewahret euch von Weibertücken"). The three ladies appear and try to frighten Tamino and Papageno into speaking. (Quintet: "Wie, wie, wie") Papageno cannot resist answering the ladies, but Tamino remains aloof, angrily instructing Papageno not to listen to the ladies' threats and to keep quiet. Seeing that Tamino will not speak to them, the ladies withdraw in confusion.

Scene 3: A garden

Pamina is asleep. Monostatos approaches and gazes upon her with rapture. (Aria: "Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden") He is about to kiss the sleeping Pamina, when the Queen of the Night appears. Monostatos hides. In response to the Queen's questioning, Pamina explains that Tamino is joining Sarastro's brotherhood and she is thinking of accompanying him too. The Queen is not pleased. She explains that her husband was the previous owner of the temple and on his deathbed, gave the ownership to Sarastro instead of her, rendering the Queen powerless (this is in the original libretto, but is usually omitted from modern productions, to shorten the scene with Pamina and her mother). She gives Pamina a dagger, ordering her to kill Sarastro with it and threatening to disown her if she does not. (Aria: "Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen"). She leaves. Monostatos returns and tries to force Pamina's love by threatening to reveal the Queen's plot, but Sarastro enters and drives him off. Pamina begs Sarastro to forgive her mother and he reassures her that revenge and cruelty have no place in his domain (Aria: "In diesen heil'gen Hallen").

Scene 4: A hall in the Temple of Ordeal

Tamino and Papageno are led in by priests, who remind them that they must remain silent. Papageno complains of thirst. An old woman enters and offers Papageno a cup of water. He drinks and teasingly asks whether she has a boyfriend. She replies that she does and that his name is Papageno. She disappears as Papageno asks for her name, and the three child-spirits bring in food, the magic flute, and the bells, sent from Sarastro (Trio: "Seid uns zum zweiten Mal willkommen"). Tamino begins to play the flute, which summons Pamina. She tries to speak with him, but Tamino, bound by his vow of silence, cannot answer her, and Pamina begins to believe that he no longer loves her. (Aria: "Ach, ich fühl's, es ist verschwunden") She leaves in despair.

Scene 5: The pyramids

The priests celebrate Tamino's successes so far, and pray that he will succeed and become worthy of their order (Chorus: "O Isis und Osiris"). Pamina is brought in and Sarastro instructs Pamina and Tamino to bid each other farewell before the greater trials ahead, alarming them by describing it as their "final farewell". (Trio: Sarastro, Pamina, Tamino – "Soll ich dich, Teurer, nicht mehr sehn?" Note: In order to preserve the continuity of Pamina's suicidal feelings, this trio is sometimes performed earlier in act 2, preceding or immediately following Sarastro's aria "O Isis und Osiris".) They exit and Papageno enters. The priests grant his request for a glass of wine and he expresses his desire for a wife. (Aria: "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen"). The elderly woman reappears and warns him that unless he immediately promises to marry her, he will be imprisoned forever. When Papageno promises to love her faithfully (muttering that he will only do this until something better comes along), she is transformed into the young and pretty Papagena. Papageno rushes to embrace her, but the priests drive him back, telling him that he is not yet worthy of her.

Finale. Scene 6: A garden

The three child-spirits hail the dawn. They observe Pamina, who is contemplating suicide because she believes Tamino has abandoned her. The child-spirits restrain her and reassure her of Tamino's love. (Quartet: "Bald prangt, den Morgen zu verkünden").

Scene change without interrupting the music, to Scene 7: Outside the Temple of Ordeal

Two men in armor lead in Tamino. They recite one of the formal creeds of Isis and Osiris, promising enlightenment to those who successfully overcome the fear of death ("Der, welcher wandert diese Strasse voll Beschwerden"). This recitation takes the musical form of a Baroque chorale prelude, to a tune inspired by Martin Luther's hymn "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein" (Oh God, look down from heaven).Tamino declares that he is ready to be tested. Pamina calls to him from offstage. The men in armour assure him that the trial by silence is over and he is free to speak with her. Pamina enters and declares her intention to undergo the remaining trials with him. She hands him the magic flute to help them through the trials ("Tamino mein, o welch ein Glück!"). Protected by the music of the magic flute, they pass unscathed through chambers of fire and water. Offstage, the priests hail their triumph and invite the couple to enter the temple.

Scene change without interrupting the music, to Scene 8: A garden with a tree

Papageno despairs at having lost Papagena and decides to hang himself (Aria/Quartet: "Papagena! Papagena! Papagena! Weibchen, Täubchen, meine Schöne") The three child-spirits appear and stop him. They advise him to play his magic bells to summon Papagena. She appears and, united, the happy couple stutter in astonishment and make bird-like courting sounds at each other. They plan their future and dream of the many children they will have together (Duet: "Pa... pa... pa...").

Scene change without interrupting the music, to Scene 9: A rocky landscape outside the temple; night

The traitorous Monostatos appears with the Queen of the Night and her three ladies. They plot to destroy the temple ("Nur stille, stille") and the Queen confirms that she has promised her daughter Pamina to Monostatos. But before the conspirators can enter the temple, they are magically cast out into eternal night.

Scene change without interrupting the music, to Scene 10: The Temple of the Sun

Sarastro announces the sun's triumph over the night, and hails the dawn of a new era of wisdom and brotherhood. Animals appear again and dance in the sun.