The Magic Flute Study Guide - Manitoba Opera

Indian temple
The Magic Flute, 2001
Sarastro’s palace; the temples of Wisdom, Reason and
Nature.
Tamino arrives at Sarastro’s temple, led by Three Genii who have
promised to guide him. He has to choose between three doors, one
marked Reason, one marked Nature and one marked Wisdom. He knocks
at the first two, but is refused. He is admitted to the last where he is
greeted by one of Sarastro’s attendants, the Speaker of the Temple.
The Speaker listens to Tamino’s story, but tells him that he is mistaken;
Sarastro is not evil, but is protecting Pamina from her mother, who is a
wicked and proud enchantress. Tamino is left alone. He plays his flute,
and a menagerie of wild beasts, charmed by his music, appear and
dance.
Pamina and Papageno are attempting to escape the palace, following the
noise of Tamino’s flute. They are caught
by Monostatos, but Papageno charms him and his men with his
magic bells. Sarastro is heard approaching and Pamina tells
Papageno that they must stay and speak to him.
Sarastro explains to Pamina why he has taken her away from her
mother, and orders Monostatos to be whipped for his brutal
behaviour towards Pamina. Tamino and Pamina meet for the first
time. They fall in love at first sight, but Sarastro says that Tamino
must prove himself worthy of Pamina’s love and learn wisdom by
undergoing a series of ordeals. Papageno will join him.
ACT II
The Temple
Sarastro and the priests discuss Tamino’s forthcoming ordeals. If he succeeds, he will be able to
defend Sarastro’s brotherhood against the evil Queen of the Night. The trials commence. Tamino and
Papageno are commanded not to speak to any woman and are left alone in a dark room. The Queen
of the Night’s ladies appear and tempt them, but they remain firm, Papageno with great difficulty.
A room in the palace
The Queen of the Night reveals her true purpose and tells Pamina that she wants to destroy Sarastro
and his brotherhood of Wisdom. She gives her daughter a dagger and instructs her to kill Sarastro.
Monostatos appears and again threatens Pamina. He is dismissed by Sarastro, who tells Pamina that
no harm will come to her in his palace, and sings her to sleep.
A scene from the film,
The Magic Flute, 2006
The Temple
Tamino and Papageno continue their ordeal of silence. Papageno
chatters to an old woman who brings him water, but Tamino
remains steadfast even when Pamina appears and entreats him
to talk. Pamina believes that Tamino no longer loves her and is
heartbroken. Sarastro prepares Tamino for further trials.
Papageno sings of his need for a wife, accompanied by his magic
bells. The old woman appears and insists that he marry her. As
he agrees, she turns into a young and beautiful girl – Papagena
– but suddenly disappears. Papageno runs off to search for her.
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Sketches of puppets from a
production of The Magic Flute