Glyndebourne: The Magic Flute

Act I

Alone in a foreign land, Prince Tamino is attacked by a giant
serpent. He faints but, when he comes to, realises that he has
been rescued - someone else has killed the monster. Papageno,
the Queen of the Night’s bird-catcher, is quick to claim the
credit, but is soon corrected by the queen’s three ladies. They
give Tamino a portrait of Pamina, the queen’s daughter, who has
been abducted by the tyrant Sarastro. Tamino falls instantly in
love. The queen herself appears, and promises the Prince her
daughter’s hand if he can rescue her. To help him on his quest,
the ladies give him a magic flute and three magical spirits to
guide him. He sets off, joined by an unwilling Papageno.
Imprisoned in Sarastro’s temple underground, Pamina is at the
mercy of the slave Monostatos. But his lecherous plans are
interrupted by Papageno, who tells Pamina of Tamino’s love
and his quest to rescue her. Arriving at the temple, Tamino is
greeted by a priest, who tells him that he has been deceived by
the Queen of the Night; all is not as she described.
Papageno and Pamina have escaped, but are pursued by
Monostatos. Papageno uses his magic bells to enchant their
pursuers, but just as they are once again free, they hear
Sarastro and his followers approaching. Pamina confesses
all and is forgiven, but Sarastro still refuses to release her.
Tamino enters, captured by a triumphant Monostatos. He and
Pamina meet briefly for the first time before they are both led
separately away to prepare for their initiation into Sarastro’s
order. Monostatos is punished.

Act II

Sarastro persuades the brotherhood to accept Tamino as a
member if he passes the order’s tests of initiation. Tamino and
Papageno face the first trial: silence. Papageno fails almost
immediately, but Tamino holds firm. The Queen of the Night still
seeks revenge, and orders Pamina to kill Sarastro. Monostatos
overhears and threatens to expose the plot unless Pamina
surrenders to his desires. But Sarastro discovers his scheme,
banishes Monostatos and forgives Pamina. Papageno and
Tamino are still sworn to silence. Papageno once again fails by
talking to an old woman. Tamino plays his magic flute, which
summons Pamina to him. She speaks but he cannot reply,
forcing her to believe that he no longer loves her. Sarastro orders
Pamina and Tamino to bid each other a final farewell – they
must now prepare for their trials. Papageno expresses his wish
for a wife of his own, and is rewarded by the return of the old
lady. But the instant he reluctantly agrees to marry her she is
transformed into his perfect Papagena, only to be immediately
whisked away by the brotherhood: he is not yet worthy of her.
Convinced Tamino no longer loves her, Pamina prepares to kill
herself, but is prevented by the Three Boys, who reassure her of
his devotion. Two men in armour help Tamino prepare for his final
trials. Free now to speak, he is reunited with Pamina who resolves
to undergo the trials of fire and water alongside him. Devastated
by the loss of Papagena, Papageno prepares to hang himself. But
once again the Three Boys intervene, telling him to use the magic
bells to summon her back. The lovers are joyfully reunited.
The Queen of the Night, Monostatos and their allies make one final
attempt to overthrow Sarastro but fail. ‘The rays of the sun expel
the night and annihilate the power of the hypocrite’ proclaims
Sarastro. He welcomes Tamino and Pamina into the brotherhood,
as members of the order celebrate a new era of wisdom.