Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

save him by sending him on a foreign journey with Elektra, who is delighted that her beloved one
should be removed from the company of her hated rival, Ilia. As the ship is about to set sail,
however, a terrific storm arises and prevents them from starting; and at the same time they see
near the shore a terrible monster of the deep, which presently begins to work havoc amongst all
who approach the waters edge. This monster has been sent by Neptune, whose anger has been
kindled because Idomeneus has not offered up the sacrifice demanded; and Idamantes boldly
announces his intention to slay the beast or perish in the attempt. The High Priest, Arbaces, now
commands the King to name the victim for the sacrifice, reproaching him for bringing trouble on
the land by holding back the information; and the wretched Idomeneus is at last compelled to
admit that his own son was the first person to greet him on his return from the wreck. As
Idamantes returns from his fight with the sea monster, which he has successfully disposed of, he
hears of the vow made by his father, and he at once announces his willingness to offer himself as
the sacrifice demanded by Neptune. Ilia, however, despairing at the fate in store for her lover, falls
on her knees and frantically entreats to be permitted to take his place. This Idamantes will not
listen to; but Ilia finally wins the consent of the High Priest in her favour, and is about to be
offered as the sacrifice when the god Neptune himself intervenes and annou noes that Idomeneus
shall be released from his vow, but that he must resign his sovereignty in favour of the brave
Idamantes. This condition is gladly accepted by the relieved father, and all the company join in a
hymn of praise to the magnanimous god, with the exception of the unhappy Elektra, who beholds
with renewed jealousy and grief the union of Idamantes and Ilia.
112. THE MAGIC FLUTE
Grand Opera in Two Acts By Johann Chrysostomus Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto By Schikaneder
First Produced Vienna, September, 1791
Chief Characters Queen of the Night, Pamina, Papagena, Tamino, Sarastro, Papageno
THE scene is laid in ancient Egypt. The Queen of the Night is furious with the High Priest of Isis,
Sarastro, because he has taken away her daughter, Pamina, in order to bring her up in the temple in
the paths of purity and goodness, away from the evil influence of her mother. Tamino, a young
Prince wandering forth in search of adventure, is saved from a monster by the attendants of the
Queen of the Night who, in return for the service rendered him, sends him on the mission to rescue
her daughter from the hands of the High Priest. Tamino eagerly undertakes the task; and he is
joined by a merry bird-catcher, Papageno, who wears a feather dress as an aid to his profession.
The Queen gives a magic golden flute to Tamino, which he is to play in times of danger, when the
trouble will vanish; and to his companion she gives a peal of bells for the same purpose. As the
pair approach the Temple of Isis they succeed in saving Pamina from the unwelcome attentions of
a negro slave, who is terrified at the unusual appearance of the feather-garbed Papageno. The newcomers
are brought before Sarastro, who proves to the young Prince that he is really doing right in
detaining Pamina from her mother; and, seeing that the pair are already in love with one another,
he promises them future happiness if they are only willing to go through many ordeals to purify
their hearts and prove themselves worthy of the great gift of Love. The lovers agree to all the
conditions, and they go bravely and without hesitation through the many ordeals placed in their
way, finally even making their way through a fiery lake, which leads them to the altar. Even now,