Recommended for Grades 6-12
In this resource, you will:
- Learn the opera’s background and synopsis
- Meet the opera’s composer
The Magic Flute
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The Magic Flute
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A quick overview of Mozart’s 1791 magical comic opera.
Background
The origin of Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute (or Die Zauberflöte in German), which debuted in Vienna in 1791, is almost as mystifying as the plot. The libretto most likely had several sources—among them some original ideas from famous producer and first-ever Papageno, Emanuel Schikaneder—and drew from a variety of folk tales and ancient lore along with popular contemporary operatic, political, and philosophical themes.
Music historians agree the work also includes some pretty blatant references to the Freemasons, an exclusive brotherhood of which Mozart and Schikaneder were both members. Most notable among these Masonic shout-outs is the repeated use of the number three throughout the opera (three ladies, three spirits, three gates to the temple…you get the idea). Sarastro’s belief in friendship, freedom, and forgiveness also seem closely allied to Freemasonry’s Enlightenment-era values, which included reason, liberty, and charity.
Synopsis
Act I
In an ancient kingdom, a menacing serpent pursues a prince named Tamino. The prince collapses in fear, but is saved by three mysterious ladies who rush in to slay the monster. As they hurry away to tell their reigning queen about the handsome fainting stranger, a bird-catcher named Papageno dances in.
Tamino awakens and assumes Papageno has rescued him, but the three ladies soon return and denounce Papageno for taking all the credit. The ladies then proudly proclaim they work for the immensely powerful Queen of the Night, a sorceress whose daughter, Pamina, has been abducted by an evil priest named Sarastro. They show Tamino a picture of Pamina…and he falls instantly in love.
Suddenly, the Queen enters (perfect timing, huh?). She urges Tamino to bring her daughter back and orders Papageno to go with him. The three ladies give Tamino a magic flute and provide Papageno with enchanted silver bells for added protection. Before their final goodbyes, the ladies introduce the men to three spirit guides who are duty-bound to help the heroes on their journey.
Far away in the palace of Sarastro, the priest’s servant, Monostatos taunts the captive Pamina. But he’s interrupted by Papageno, who stumbles in almost completely by accident. Confused by Papageno’s wild bird-catcher outfit, Monostatos flees in search of backup, and Papageno introduces himself to Pamina, telling her all about Tamino and his undying love for her.
Elsewhere, the three spirits lead Tamino to Sarastro’s Temple of Wisdom. He tries each of the temple’s three doors (labeled “Wisdom,” “Labor,” and “Arts”), but is denied entry. Just then, a priest appears and tells Tamino it is the Queen, and not Sarastro, who is truly wicked (yeah... just go with it). Though the priest assures Tamino that everything will be revealed to him in due time, Tamino is hopelessly frustrated. He cries into the night, asking if Pamina is even still alive for him to rescue. Miraculously, unseen voices give him an answer: Pamina lives. Tamino then plays on his flute in celebration, causing the animals of the surrounding jungle to dance to his tune.
Happily, the melody also attracts Pamina and Papageno, who quickly head in the prince’s direction. But Monostatos is in hot pursuit, and Papageno and Pamina are forced to get creative as Monostatos’s minions close in (thanks, magic silver bells!). Just as Papageno and Pamina think they’re out of danger, however, a chorus of voices announces the formidable high priest, Sarastro, is on his way.
Unbelievably, Tamino, Pamina, Papageno, and Monostatos all suddenly find themselves in the presence of the great Sarastro. Tamino and Pamina are overjoyed to meet each other in person, but Sarastro separates them immediately, indicating he has a plan in store.
Act II
Sarastro declares Tamino must undergo certain sacred trials to become a member of the Temple and therefore worthy of Pamina. The priest also declares Tamino will be joined by Papageno, who will be rewarded with a girlfriend of his own.
While Tamino and Papageno struggle to maintain a vow of silence (another part of Sarastro’s test), Monostatos secretly watches over Pamina. He’s soon frightened away by the unexpected arrival of the Queen, who approaches Pamina carrying a knife. She commands her daughter to kill Sarastro as payback for his past crimes (he may or may not have stolen a powerful talisman belonging to the Queen and her partner, Pamina’s father... oops). Understandably, Pamina is beside herself.
Monostatos overhears the whole thing and attempts to bribe Pamina into accepting his love in return for his silence, but Sarastro shows up to set things right. He explains he’s overheard the Queen plotting his demise and forgives Pamina on the spot.
But further tests await Pamina, Tamino, and Papageno, and the strain eventually proves to be almost too much for both Pamina and Papageno, who sadly contemplate suicide. Yet, guided by the voices of the three spirits, Papageno finally meets his beautiful betrothed—turns out her name is Papagena—and Pamina and Tamino are reunited and allowed to face the final trials of the Temple together.
...But will our heroes succeed? Can love, friendship, and the magic flute save both couples from a less-than-happy ending?
Meet the Artists
Read the Student Guide
Read the Rehearsal Guide
Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781–1841), Stage set for the Queen of the Night (in Watch an Excerpt
The Magic Flute – Queen of the Night aria
Watch
Watch
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Written by
Eleni Hagen
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Edited by
Lisa Resnick
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Produced by
Kennedy Center Education
Digital Learning
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