The Magic Flute Study Guide - Manitoba Opera

Main Characters
Tamino: A prince. He is lured into the forest by the Queen of the Night and enlisted by her to
rescue her daughter Pamina from Sarastro. Later, he becomes an ally of Sarastro, determined to
learn Wisdom in his temple. Tenor
Papageno: A birdcatcher who becomes Tamino’s attendant. He is a simple-minded man whose
main desire in life is for a wife and children, and good food and drink. Baritone
The Queen of the Night: A sorceress, who initially appears good, but is in fact evil. She
persuades Tamino to rescue her daughter Pamina from Sarastro’s palace.
Soprano
Monostatos: Sarastro’s servant, a wicked man, later dismissed by his
master. Tenor
Pamina: The Queen of the Night’s daughter. Unlike her mother, Pamina is
good and brave. She is kept captive by Sarastro, but it later transpires that
he is seeking to protect her from her sorceress mother. Soprano
Sarastro, Priest of Isis and Osiris: A mysterious figure who the Queen
of the Night says is an evil sorcerer. However, he is later revealed to be a
good and wise man. Bass
Papagena: Papageno’s sweetheart, who magically appears when he rings
his magic bells. Soprano
The Story
ACT I
A mysterious forest
Set Design for The Magic Flute
Tamino is being pursued by a serpent. He is saved by three
ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, who kill the
serpent. Awaking after his ordeal, Tamino meets the
birdcatcher Papageno, who pretends that it was he who saved
the prince.
The three ladies return with the Queen of the Night, who asks
Tamino to save her daughter Pamina, who has been kidnapped
by the magician Sarastro. She gives Tamino a portrait of
Pamina, and Tamino begins to fall
in love with the beautiful girl. He
vows to save her.
The three ladies present Tamino with a magic flute to ward off evil, and
Papageno with magic bells, which play sweet melodies. Tamino and
Papageno set off for Sarastro’s palace.
A room in Sarastro's palace
Pamina is threatened by Sarastro’s servant Monostatos, who lusts after
her. Papageno appears and frightens Monostatos away. He tells Pamina
that Tamino loves her and is on his way to rescue her. Papageno tells
Pamina of his own wish for a wife, and Pamina assures him he will find
love.
43
1816 print of the
costume design by
Sturmer for Papageno