“The Magic Flute”

Characters

Sarastro (High Priest of Isis and Osiris) — Bass Tamino (an Egyptian prince) — Tenor Speaker — Bass-baritone First Priest — Tenor Second Priest — Bass Third Priest — Spoken role Queen of the Night — Coloratura soprano Pamina (her daughter) — Soprano First Lady (an emissary of the Queen of the Night) — Soprano Second Lady (an emissary of the Queen of the Night) — Soprano Third Lady (an emissary of the Queen of the Night) — Mezzo-soprano First Boy — Soprano Second Boy — Soprano Third Boy — Alto Papageno (a birdcatcher) — Baritone Papagena (Papageno’s intended bride, disguised as an old woman) — Soprano Monostatos (a Moor in Sarastro’s service) — Tenor First Armoured Man — Tenor Second Armoured Man — Bass Three Slaves — Spoken roles Chorus Priests, women, townspeople, slaves and attendants Time and Place Egypt, in a fairy-tale era

Overture

ACT ONE

The scene is a rocky area, here and there overgrown with trees, on both sides are smallish hills; there is also a round temple. (Tamino descends from a rock to the right, in splendid Japanese hunting-costume, carrying a bow but no arrows; a serpent pursues him.)

No. 1: Introduction Tamino Help me! oh, help me! or I am lost, condemned as sacrifice to the cunning serpent – Merciful gods! It’s coming closer! Ah! save me, ah! defend me! (He faints; immediately the door to the temple opens; three veiled ladies come out, each carrying a silver spear.) The Three Ladies Die, monster, by our power! Victory! Victory! Accomplished is the heroic deed! He is free, thanks to our bravery.

First Lady (observing him) A pleasing youth, gentle and fair! Second Lady The fairest I have ever seen. Third Lady Yes, that’s true, pretty as a picture. All Three If I ever gave my heart away, it could be to none but this youth. Let us hasten to our Queen and report this news to her. Perhaps this handsome man can restore her peace of mind. First Lady You go and tell her, then; meanwhile, I’ll stay here. – Second Lady No, no, you go ahead; I’ll keep watch over him! Third Lady No, no, that may not be; I’ll protect him! First Lady Meanwhile, I’ll stay here...

Second Lady I’ll keep watch over him... Third Lady I’ll protect him myself... First Lady ...I’ll stay... Second Lady ...I’ll keep watch... Third Lady ...I’ll protect him... First Lady ...I! Second Lady ...I! Third Lady ...I!

All Three (each to herself) Then I must go! Aha, very nice! They want to be alone with him. No, no, that’s out of the question! What would I not give to live with this youth! If only I had him to myself! Still no one goes; it is not to be. I had better go. O youth so fair and loveable, O faithful youth, farewell until I see thee again. (All three go off through the temple gate, which opens and closes by itself.) Tamino (wakes and looks around fearfully) Where am I? Am I only imagining that I am still alive? Or has some higher power saved me? (gets up and looks around) What? – The vicious serpent lies dead at my feet? (A shepherd’s pipe is heard in the distance, softly accompanied by the orchestra. Tamino speaks during the ritornello.) What do I hear? Where am I? What a strange place! – Ha, a man is coming down into the valley. (hides behind a tree) (Papageno comes down the footpath. On his back he carries a large birdcage, reaching high above his head, with various birds inside; in both hands he holds a panpipe. He whistles and sings.)

No. 2: Aria Papageno The birdcatcher am I – and always merry, tra la la! As the birdcatcher I am known by old and young throughout the land. I know how to set decoys and whistle just like my prey! So merry and carefree can I be, knowing all the birds belong to me. The birdcatcher am I – and always merry, tra la la! As the birdcatcher I am known by old and young throughout the land. I wish I had a trap for girls – I’d catch them by the dozen then. I’d keep them in a cage at home, and all the girls would be mine alone. If all the girls were mine alone, I’d gladly trade for some sugar; then to the one I liked the best I’d give all the sugar she wanted. And if she then kissed me tenderly, she’d be my wife and I her husband. She would sleep beside me and I would rock her like a child.

(Papageno whistles and, after the aria, starts towards the gate.) Tamino (takes him by the hand) Hey there! Papageno What’s that! Tamino Tell me, my merry friend, who are you? Papageno Who am I? (to himself) Silly question! (aloud) A man, like you. – And if I asked you who you are? Tamino Then I would answer that I am of princely blood. Papageno That’s over my head. – You must explain yourself more clearly if I am to understand you! Tamino My father is a ruler who reigns over many lands and peoples; that is why they call me Prince. Papageno Lands? – Peoples? – Prince? Tamino That is why I ask you! Papageno Slowly! Let me ask the questions. – First tell me: are there other lands and people beyond these mountains? Tamino Many thousands! Papageno Then I could do some business there with my birds. Tamino Now tell me what region this is. Papageno What region? (looks around) Between valleys and mountains. Tamino Quite right! But what is this region actually called? Who rules it? Papageno I can no more answer that than I can tell you how I came into the world. Tamino (laughs) What? You don’t know where you were born, or who your parents were? Papageno Not a thing! – I know no more and no less than that I was brought up and fed by an old but very jolly man. Tamino Probably your father? Papageno That I don’t know. Tamino Didn’t you know your mother, then? Papageno I never knew her; a few times I was told that my mother once served the star-flaming Queen of the Night, there in that locked building. – Whether she is still alive, or what became of her, I don’t know. – All I know is that not far from here stands my straw hut, which shelters me from rain and cold. Tamino But how do you live? Papageno On food and drink, like everybody else. Tamino And how do you get it? Papageno By barter. – I catch all sorts of birds for the star-flaming Queen and her maidens; in exchange I get food and drink from her every day. Tamino (to himself) The star-flaming Queen! – What if it were the mighty Queen of the Night herself! – Tell me, good friend, have you ever been lucky enough to see this goddess of the night? Papageno (who has been playing on his pipe from time to time) Your last silly question convinces me that you were born in a foreign land. Tamino Don’t be offended, dear friend! I only thought – Papageno See her? – See the star-flaming Queen? – If you come to me with another silly question like that, then, as sure as my name is Papageno, I’ll lock you up in my birdcage like a bullfinch and sell you, along with my other birds, to the Queen of the Night and her maidens; then for all I care they can boil you or roast you. Tamino (to himself) A strange man! Papageno See her? – See the star-flaming Queen? – What mortal can boast of ever having seen her? – What human eye could see through her veil, woven through with black? Tamino (to himself) Now it is clear: this is the very Queen of the Night my father told me about so often. – But how I lost my way and came here is beyond me. – This man, too, is surely no ordinary human being. – Perhaps one of her attendant spirits. Papageno (to himself) How he stares at me! I’m beginning to be afraid of him. – Why are you looking at me so suspiciously and slyly? Tamino Because – because I doubt whether you are human. Papageno What was that? Tamino Judging by the feathers that cover you, I take you for – (goes towards him) Papageno Not a bird, I hope? – Stay back, I tell you, and don’t trust me; for I have the strength of a giant when I get hold of someone. – If he isn’t frightened off soon, I’ll run away. Tamino The strength of a giant? (looks at the serpent) Then perhaps it was you who saved me by fighting this poisonous serpent? Papageno Serpent! (looks around and, trembling, steps back a few paces) What’s that! Is it dead or alive? Tamino With your modest question you want to refuse my thanks – but I must tell you that I shall be grateful to you forever for so brave a deed. Papageno Let’s not talk about it – let’s be glad that it was successfully overcome. Tamino But in heaven’s name, friend, how did you fight this monster? You have no weapons. Papageno Don’t need any! – With me, one strong squeeze of the hand is worth more than weapons. Tamino So you strangled it? Papageno Strangled it! (to himself) I’ve never been so strong in my life as I am today. (The three Ladies appear.) The Three Ladies (threatening him, calling all together) Papageno! Papageno Aha! That means me. – Look around, my friend! Tamino Who are these ladies? Papageno Who they really are, I don’t know myself. – All I know is that every day they take my birds and bring me wine, sugarloaf and sweet figs in exchange. Tamino I suppose they are very beautiful? Papageno I don’t think so! For if they were beautiful, they wouldn’t cover their faces. The Three Ladies (threatening) Papageno! Papageno Be quiet! They are threatening me already. – You ask whether they are beautiful, and I can only answer that I have never seen anything more charming in all my life. – Now they’ll soon be in a good mood again. The Three Ladies (threatening) Papageno! Papageno What on earth can I have done today to make them so angry with me? – Here, my beauties, I hand over my birds. First Lady (hands him a fine bottle of water) In return, our Queen today, for the first time, sends you pure clear water instead of wine. Second Lady And she ordered me to bring you this stone instead of sugarloaf. – I hope it agrees with you. Papageno What? Am I supposed to eat stones? Third Lady And instead of sweet figs I have the honour of fastening this golden lock on your mouth. (She fastens the lock on his mouth. Papageno shows his pain by gestures.) First Lady No doubt you would like to know why the Queen punishes you so strangely today? (Papageno nods yes.) Second Lady So that in future you will never again lie to strangers. Third Lady And never boast of heroic deeds that others have performed. First Lady Tell us! Did you fight this serpent? (Papageno shakes his head.) Second Lady Who did, then? (Papageno signals that he does not know.) Third Lady It was we, young man, who saved you. – Do not tremble! Joy and delight await you. – Here, the great Queen sends you this picture; it is the portrait of her daughter. – If you find, she said, that these features do not leave you indifferent, then happiness, honour and fame shall be your lot. – Farewell! (She goes.) Second Lady Adieu, Monsieur Papageno! (She goes.) First Lady Mind you don’t drink too fast! (She goes off laughing.) (Papageno has continued his dumb show throughout. From the moment he received the portrait, Tamino has been absorbed in it; his love grows, and he seems deaf to all that is said.)

No. 3: Aria Tamino This portrait is bewitching, no eye has ever seen its like before. I feel as if this angelic picture were filling my heart with a new emotion. This something I cannot name, but I feel it burning here. Can this sensation be love? Yes, yes! This can only be love. Oh, if only I might find her! If only she stood before me! I would – would warmly – chastely – what would I do? I would, in ecstasy, press her to my ardent heart, and she would be mine forever! (He is about to go.) (The three Ladies return.) First Lady Arm yourself with courage and constancy, handsome youth! – The Queen – Second Lady has commanded me to tell you – Third Lady that the path to your future happiness now lies open. First Lady She has heard every word you spoke; – she has – Second Lady read every feature of your face. – Yes, and more: her mother’s heart – Third Lady has resolved to make you completely happy. – “If this youth,” she said, “has as much courage and bravery as he has tenderness, then my daughter is surely saved.” Tamino Saved? O eternal darkness! What do I hear? – The girl in the portrait? – First Lady Has been snatched from her by a powerful, evil demon. Tamino Snatched away? – O you gods! Tell me, how could that happen? First Lady One fine day in May she was sitting all alone in the cypress grove, where all things flourish, which was always her favourite place. – The villain crept in unnoticed – Second Lady spied on her, and – Third Lady besides his wicked heart, he also has the power to change himself into any shape imaginable; in that way he has also taken Pamina – First Lady That is the name of the royal daughter whom you adore. Tamino O Pamina! Torn away from me – you, in the power of a lustful villain! – Perhaps at this very moment you are – what a terrible thought! The Three Ladies Silence, young man! First Lady Do not slander the virtue of that lovely beauty! – Whatever torments innocence must suffer, she stays true to herself. – Neither force nor flattery can lead her onto the path of vice. Tamino Oh tell me, ladies, tell me where the tyrant lives! Second Lady Very close to our mountains, in a pleasant and charming valley. – His castle is magnificent and carefully guarded. Tamino Come, ladies! Lead me! – Pamina shall be saved! – Let the villain fall by my arm; I swear it by my love, by my heart! (At once a violent, shattering chord is heard in the orchestra.) You gods! What is that? The Three Ladies Be calm! First Lady It announces the arrival of our Queen. (thunder) The Three Ladies She comes! (thunder) She comes! (thunder) She comes! (The mountains part, and the scene changes to a magnificent chamber. The Queen is seated on a throne adorned with transparent stars.)

No. 4: Recitative and Aria Queen O tremble not, beloved son, you are guiltless, wise and good – A youth such as you can best console this overburdened maternal heart. – I am condemned to grief, for my daughter has been taken from me. With her, all my happiness was lost; a villain abducted her. I can see her trembling with fearful agitation, shaking with fear, feebly struggling. I saw her taken from me. “Ah, help me!” was all she could say – but her appeals were in vain, for my aid was not strong enough. You shall go to set her free, you shall be my daughter’s saviour. And if you succeed, she shall be yours forever. (She leaves with the three Ladies.) (The scene changes back to what it was before.) Tamino (after a pause) Was what I saw real? Or were my senses deceiving me? – O good gods, do not deceive me! Or else I shall fail your test. – Protect my arm, steel my courage, and Tamino’s heart will beat with eternal gratitude to you. (He is about to go when Papageno steps in his way.)

No. 5: Quintet Papageno (pointing sadly to the padlock on his mouth) Hm! hm! hm! hm! Tamino The poor fellow can well speak of punishment when it has robbed him of the power of speech! Papageno Hm! hm! hm! hm! Tamino I can do nothing but sympathise, for I am powerless to help! First Lady The Queen has had mercy on you, and she sent me to release you. – (She takes the padlock from Papageno’s mouth.)

Papageno Now Papageno can chatter again! Second Lady Chatter yes – but never lie again! Papageno I will never tell another lie, no, never! Ladies Let this lock be a warning to you! Papageno Let this lock be a warning to me! All If only every liar had a lock like this upon his mouth: then would hate, calumny and rancour be replaced by love and brotherhood! First Lady O Prince, accept this gift sent to you by our Queen. (gives Tamino a golden flute) This magic flute will protect you even in the gravest misfortune. Ladies This flute will confer great power upon you, to transform the passions of mankind; the mourner will become merry, the bachelor a lover.

All A flute like this is worth more than gold or crowns, for by its power will human joy and contentment be increased. Papageno Now, fair ladies, will you excuse me? If so, I take my leave. Ladies You may certainly depart, but our lady has chosen you to accompany the prince immediately to Sarastro’s castle. Papageno No! I thank you very much. You yourselves have told me that he is as fierce as a tiger. Sarastro, I’m sure, would not hesitate to have me plucked and roasted and thrown to the dogs. Ladies The Prince will protect you, trust him, so then you will be his servant. Papageno (aside) The Prince can go to the devil. I value my life, and now, by my honour, it’s likely he will steal away from me like a thief. – First Lady (gives him a steel glockenspiel) Here, take this treasure, it is yours.

Papageno Aha! What can it be? – Ladies There are bells inside it! Papageno And shall I be able to play them? Ladies Oh, certainly! yes, certainly! All Silver bells and magic flute are needed for your/our protection! Farewell! We must leave now! Farewell! – till we meet again. (All turn to go.) Tamino But tell me, fair ladies... Papageno ...how shall we find the citadel? Tamino and Papageno ...how shall we find the citadel? Ladies Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise, will appear to you on your journey. They will be your guides; follow their counsel and theirs alone.

Tamino and Papageno Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise, will appear to us on our journey? – Ladies They will be your guides; follow their counsel and theirs alone. Tamino and Papageno So farewell! we must leave now; farewell, farewell, until we meet again! All So farewell! we must leave now; farewell, farewell, until we meet again! (Change of scene: a splendid chamber in the Egyptian style.) (Two slaves carry in fine cushions and a splendid Turkish table and spread out carpets; then the third slave comes in.) Third Slave Ha, ha, ha! First Slave Psst, psst! Second Slave What’s all the laughing about? Third Slave Our tormentor, that eavesdropping Moor, is sure to be hanged or impaled tomorrow. – Pamina! – Ha, ha, ha! First Slave Well? Third Slave That charming girl! – Ha, ha, ha! Second Slave Well? Third Slave Has run away. First and Second Slaves Run away? First Slave And she got away? Third Slave Without a doubt! – At least, that’s what I truly hope. First Slave Oh, thank you, kind gods! You have heard my prayer. Third Slave Didn’t I always tell you that a day would dawn for us when we would be avenged and black Monostatos would be punished? Second Slave And what does the Moor say to all this? First Slave He does know about it? Third Slave Of course! She ran away before his very eyes. – Some of our brothers who were working in the garden saw and heard it from a distance, and they tell me that the Moor is done for, even if Sarastro’s men bring Pamina back. First and Second Slaves How so? Third Slave You know that lecherous paunch and his ways; but the girl was cleverer than I thought. – Just when he thought he had won, she called out Sarastro’s name: that shook the Moor; he stood there, dumb and motionless – meanwhile Pamina ran to the canal and sailed off by herself in a gondola towards the palm grove. First Slave Oh, how that timid deer will rush in mortal fear to the palace of her loving mother! Monostatos (from within) Hey, slaves! First Slave Monostatos’s voice! Monostatos (from within) Hey, slaves! Bring chains! The Three Slaves Chains? First Slave (runs to the side door) Surely not for Pamina? O you gods! Look, brothers, the girl has been caught. Second and Third Slaves Pamina? – What a terrible sight! First Slave Look how that pitiless devil grabs her by her delicate little hands. – I can’t bear it. (goes off on the other side) Second Slave I even less. (also goes off there) Third Slave Having to watch such a thing is the torture of hell. (goes off) (Monostatos enters, followed by Pamina, who is led in by slaves.)

No. 6: Terzetto Monostatos My fine little dove, step inside. Pamina Oh, what suffering! What pain! Monostatos You are doomed to die.

Pamina Death does not frighten me, I only worry about my mother; she will surely die of grief. Monostatos Hey, slaves, bind her in chains; my hate will be your ruination! (Pamina is put in chains.) Pamina O let me rather die, for nothing will move you, you barbarian. (She falls unconscious on the sofa.) Monostatos Get out, now, get out! Leave me alone with her. (The slaves hurry away. Papageno outside at the window, without at first being seen.) Papageno Where am I? Wherever am I? Aha! someone’s there. Courage! I’ll go in. (He enters.) Pretty maiden, young and fair, whiter than chalk... (Papageno and Monostatos see one another – each frightens the other.) Papageno and Monostatos Oo! – – that must be – the devil himself! Have pity – spare me – Oo – Oo – (Both run off.) Pamina (speaking as if in a dream) Mother – Mother – Mother! (She recovers and looks around.) What? – This heart still beats? – Not yet destroyed? – Awakened to new torments? – Oh, that is hard, very hard! – More bitter to me than death. (Papageno returns.) Papageno Wasn’t I a fool to let myself be frightened? – After all, there are black birds in the world, so why not black people too? – Ah, look! Here’s the pretty young lady still. – You, daughter of the Queen of the Night! Pamina Queen of the Night? – Who are you? Papageno A messenger from the star-flaming Queen. Pamina (joyfully) From my mother? – Oh, joy! – What is your name? Papageno Papageno! Pamina Papageno? – Papageno – I remember hearing that name often, but I have never seen you. Papageno Nor I you. Pamina So you know my good, loving mother? Papageno If you are the daughter of the Queen of the Night – yes! Pamina Oh, I am. Papageno I’ll check that right away. (He looks at the portrait, which the Prince received earlier and which Papageno now wears on a ribbon round his neck.) Eyes black – right, black. – Lips red – right, red. – Blonde hair – blonde hair. – Everything fits, except the hands and feet. – Judging by the picture, you shouldn’t have any hands or feet, because none are shown here. Pamina Let me see – Yes, it is me! – How did it come into your hands? Papageno That would take too long to tell; it passed from hand to hand. Pamina How did it come into yours? Papageno In a wonderful way. – I caught it. Pamina Caught it? Papageno I must tell you in more detail. – This morning I came as usual to your mother’s palace with my delivery. Pamina Delivery? Papageno Yes, for many years now I have been delivering all the beautiful birds to your mother and her maidens at the palace. – Just as I was about to hand over my birds, I saw a man in front of me who calls himself a prince. – This prince so charmed your mother that she gave him your portrait and ordered him to set you free. – His decision was as quick as his love for you. Pamina (joyfully) Love? So he loves me? Oh, tell me that again; I do so love to hear the word love. Papageno I believe you without your having to swear it; you are a young lady, after all. – Where was I? Pamina At love. Papageno Right, at love! – That’s what I call a memory! – In short, this great love for you was the crack of the whip that set our feet running; now we are here to tell you a thousand lovely and pleasant things, to take you in our arms and, if possible, to hurry back to your mother’s palace as quickly as we came here, if not quicker. Pamina That is all very nicely said; but, dear friend, if the unknown youth, or prince, as he calls himself, feels love for me, why is he so slow to free me from my chains? Papageno That’s just the snag. – When we took leave of the maidens, they told us that three gracious boys would be our guides and would teach us how and in what way we should act. Pamina They taught you? Papageno They taught us nothing, because we haven’t seen any of them. – So, to be on the safe side, the Prince was clever enough to send me ahead to announce our arrival to you. Pamina Friend, you have risked a great deal! – If Sarastro should see you here – Papageno Then I’ll be spared the journey home – I can imagine. Pamina Your death would be torture without end. Papageno To avoid that, we’d better leave in good time. Pamina How high might the sun be? Papageno It’s nearly noon. Pamina Then we have not a minute to lose. – At this time Sarastro usually comes back from hunting. Papageno So Sarastro is not at home? – Pah! Then the game is ours! – Come, pretty young lady! You’ll open your eyes wide when you see the handsome youth. Pamina Very well, let us dare it! (They start to go; Pamina turns back.) But what if this were a trap? – What if he were an evil spirit from Sarastro’s retinue? (looks at him doubtfully) Papageno Me, an evil spirit? – What are you thinking of, young lady? – I am the best spirit in the world. Pamina But no; this picture convinces me that I am not deceived; it comes from the hands of my most loving mother. Papageno Pretty young lady, if such a wicked suspicion that I wanted to deceive you should ever rise in you again, just think hard about love, and every evil suspicion will vanish. Pamina Friend, forgive me, forgive me if I offended you! You have a feeling heart; I see it in every one of your features. Papageno Oh, of course I have a feeling heart! – But what good is it all to me? – I often feel like plucking out all my feathers when I think that Papageno still has no Papagena. Pamina Poor man! So you have no wife yet? Papageno Not even a sweetheart, let alone a wife! – Yes, it’s sad! – And even a fellow like me has his merry hours now and then, when he’d like a bit of company. Pamina Patience, friend! Heaven will provide for you too; it will send you a companion before you know it. Papageno If only it would send her soon!

No. 7: Duet Pamina A man who can feel love must have a good heart. Papageno To share the sweet emotion is woman’s foremost duty. Both Gladly we rejoice in love and live by love alone. Pamina Love sweetens every trouble; all creatures sacrifice to her. Papageno She seasons our daily lives and helps Nature’s wheels go round. Both Her higher purpose is our guide, and nothing is nobler than Wife and Man. Man and Wife, and Wife and Man, attain divinity. (They both leave.) (The scene changes to a grove. Right at the back of the stage is a beautiful temple, upon which are inscribed these words: “Temple of Wisdom”; this temple leads via pillars to two other temples, the one on the right bearing the inscription “Temple of Reason”, the one on the left “Temple of Nature”.) (Three boys lead in Tamino, each bearing a silver palm frond.)

No. 8: Finale The Three Boys This path will lead you to your goal, but, youth, you must prevail like a man. So give heed to our teaching: be steadfast, patient and discreet! – Tamino Gracious boys, tell me first: shall I be able to rescue Pamina? – The Boys That we may not divulge. Be steadfast, patient, and discreet; remember this; in short, be a man. – Then, youth, you will prevail manfully. (They leave.) Tamino May the wise teaching of these boys be engraved forever upon my heart. Where am I now? – What will happen to me? Is this the domain of the gods? – These portals, these columns prove that skill, industry and art reside here. Where action rules and idleness is banned, vice cannot easily retain control. I will pass boldly through that portal; my task is noble, straightforward and pure. Tremble, cowardly villain! My duty is to save Pamina! (He goes to the door on the right and opens it; as he is about to enter, a distant voice is heard.)

First Voice Go back! Tamino Go back? go back? – then I will try my luck here. (He goes to the door on the left.) Second Voice (from within) Go back! Tamino Here too they say “go back”? (He looks around.) One door still remains. Perhaps I may enter there. (He knocks; an old priest appears.) Speaker Where would you enter, bold stranger? What do you seek in this holy place? – Tamino Whatever belongs to Love and Virtue. Speaker Your words are lofty – but how do you expect to find these? You are not guided by Love and Virtue but goaded by Death and Vengeance.

Tamino Vengeance only against the villain. Speaker You will find no such person among us. Tamino Does Sarastro rule here? Speaker Yes, indeed, Sarastro rules here. Tamino But not in the Temple of Wisdom? – Speaker He rules in the Temple of Wisdom! – Tamino Then all this is hypocrisy! – Speaker Do you wish to go on your way? Tamino Yes, I shall go, happy and free – never to see your temple! – Speaker Explain yourself further; some deceit has misled you! – Tamino Sarastro resides here, that is quite enough for me! –

Speaker If you value your life, speak—and stay here! – Do you hate Sarastro? Tamino I shall hate him forever! – Speaker Give me your reasons then! – Tamino He is inhuman, a tyrant! – Speaker Has what you say been proved? Tamino By an unhappy woman, oppressed by sorrow and pain! Speaker Has a woman so deceived you? – A woman does little, gossips much; you, youth, believe in wagging tongues? – If only Sarastro could reveal to you the purpose of his stratagem. – Tamino His purpose is all too clear! Did not the robber snatch Pamina pitilessly from her mother’s arms? – Speaker Yes, young man, what you say is true! –

Tamino Where is she whom he stole from us? Perhaps she has been already sacrificed? – Speaker To tell you this, dear son, is not for me to say at present. – Tamino Explain your riddle, don’t deceive me! Speaker Oath and duty bind my tongue! Tamino When will this darkness be cast aside? – Speaker As soon as friendship’s hand has led you into the shrine for everlasting union. (He leaves.) Tamino O endless night! When will you vanish? When shall my eyes see light? – Priests (from within) Soon, youth, or never! Tamino Soon, you say, or never? – You unseen voices, tell me: is Pamina still alive? – Priests Pamina is still alive!

Tamino Alive! She is alive! Thank you for that news. (He takes out his flute.) Oh, would that I were able, Almighty Ones, in your honour, to depict with every note my gratitude as it springs (pointing to his heart) from here in my heart. (He plays. Wild beasts of all kinds come forth and listen to him. He ceases, and they depart. Birds sing to his playing.) How powerful is your magic music, sweet flute, for when you sound even wild beasts feel joy. Yet Pamina stays away. Pamina! Pamina! hear me! – In vain, in vain! – Where, ah, where shall I find you? – (Papageno answers with his pipes.) Ha! That was Papageno’s call! – Perhaps he has already seen Pamina! – Perhaps she is hastening here with him! – Perhaps the sound will lead me to her! (He leaves.) Pamina and Papageno Swift feet and ready courage protect us from the craft and rage of enemies. If only we could find Tamino, or else we may be captured yet!

Pamina Gentle youth! – Papageno Hush, hush, I have a better way! – (Papageno plays on his pipes; Tamino answers from within on his flute.) Pamina and Papageno What joy could be greater than this? Friend Tamino has already heard us; we heard his flute reply. What happiness to find him. We must hurry, hurry! (are about to enter) Monostatos (mocking them) You must hurry, hurry... Ha! I’ve caught you now! Bring me swords and fetters; just wait, I’ll teach you manners! I’ll teach you to trick Monostatos! – Bring me chains and ropes, hey, you slaves, come here! – Pamina and Papageno Ah, now we’re done for! Monostatos Hey, you slaves, come here! (Slaves enter with chains.)

Papageno He who dares much has much to gain! Come, my pretty set of chimes, let your bells ring out, ring out, so that their ears sing. (He plays upon his instrument.) Monostatos and Slaves That sounds so pretty, that sounds so fine! La ra la la la la ra la la la la ra la. Never did I hear and see anything like it! La ra la la la la ra la la la la ra la. (They exit, marching.) Pamina and Papageno (laughing) If every good man could find such bells, he could easily dispose of his enemies, and, without them, lead a peaceful life. Only friendship’s harmony eases all hardships, and without this sympathy there is no joy on earth. Attendants (from within) Long live Sarastro! Sarastro, all hail! – Papageno What can that mean? I’m shivering and shaking! – Pamina Oh, my friend, now we’re finished! This announces Sarastro’s approach!

Papageno If only I were a mouse, how I’d hide myself – if only I were tiny as a snail, I’d creep into my house! – My child, what shall we say? – Pamina The truth – the truth, even though it be a crime! – (A procession of attendants; Sarastro enters last in a triumphal chariot drawn by six lions.) Attendants Long live Sarastro, Sarastro all hail! To him we consecrate ourselves with joy! May he always enjoy the life of a wise man! – He is the idol to whom we are dedicated! Pamina (kneeling) My lord! I have transgressed! – I wished to escape from your power. – Yet the guilt is not mine! The wicked Moor demanded love, and therefore, my lord, I ran away! – Sarastro Arise, be of good cheer, beloved one, for even without questioning you I know more from your very own heart: you love another deeply. I will not force your affection, yet I will not grant you freedom either.

Pamina I am bound by filial duty, because my mother – Sarastro lies in my power. Your happiness would be destroyed forever if I delivered you into her hands. – Pamina How sweet the name of mother sounds. She is – she is – Sarastro she is an arrogant woman. – A man must guide your heart, for without that, every woman tends to overstep her natural sphere. Monostatos Now, proud youth, come here! Here is Sarastro, our master! – Pamina It is he, Tamino It is she, Pamina I can hardly believe it, Tamino it is she,

Pamina it is he. Tamino I’m not dreaming. Pamina and Tamino I shall embrace him/her, even if it means my death! Attendants What are they thinking of? Monostatos What impertinence! Keep quite apart, you go too far! (He separates them and then kneels.) Your slave lies at your feet: let the rash wanton be punished! Think how bold the boy is! With the help of this strange bird’s cunning, he meant to steal Pamina away, but I knew how to track him down. You know me! – my vigilance –

Sarastro merits that laurel-leaves be strewn before you! Ho! Give unto the worthy man at once – Monostatos Your favour already makes me rich! – Sarastro only seventy-seven strokes on his feet. Monostatos Ah, sir! I wasn’t expecting a reward. Sarastro Do not thank me! It is my duty! (Monostatos is led away.) Attendants Long live Sarastro, the divinely wise, he rewards and punishes in equal degree. Sarastro Take these two strangers into our temple of trial; cover their heads – for first they must be purified. (Two priests bring in a kind of sack and cover the heads of the two strangers.) Attendants If virtue and righteousness pave the Great Path with honour, then earth will be a paradise and mortals resemble gods.

ACT TWO

The stage is a palm-grove; all the trees are silvery, the leaves of gold. 18 seats of leaves; on each seat there stands a pyramid and a large black horn set with gold. The largest pyramid and the largest trees are in the middle.

No. 9: March (Sarastro and the Priests enter with solemn steps, each carrying a palm frond. A march for wind instruments accompanies the procession.) Sarastro (after a pause) You servants of the great gods Osiris and Isis, initiated in the Temple of Wisdom! – With a pure heart I declare to you that our assembly today is one of the most important of our time. – Tamino, a king’s son, twenty years of age, is wandering at the northern gate of our temple, sighing with a virtuous heart for a goal that all of us must win with toil and diligence. – In short, this youth wishes to tear off the veil of night and look into the sanctuary of the greatest light. – To watch over this virtuous youth and offer him the hand of friendship shall today be one of our most important duties. First Priest (rises) He possesses virtue? Sarastro Virtue! Second Priest Discretion as well? Sarastro Discretion! Third Priest Is he charitable? Sarastro Charitable! – If you consider him worthy, follow my example. (They blow their horns three times.) Moved by the unity of your hearts, Sarastro thanks you in the name of mankind. – Let prejudice pour out its blame on us initiates as it will! – Wisdom and reason tear it apart like a spider’s web. – They will never shake our pillars. Yet this evil prejudice shall vanish; and vanish it will, as soon as Tamino himself possesses the greatness of our difficult art. – The gods have destined Pamina, that gentle and virtuous girl, for this gracious youth; that is the reason why I took her from her proud mother. – That woman thinks herself great; she hopes to beguile the people with trickery and superstition and to destroy the firm foundations of our temple. But that she shall not do! Tamino, that gracious youth himself, shall make it firm with us and, as an initiate, be the reward of virtue and the punishment of vice. (All repeat the threefold chord on their horns.) Speaker (rises) Great Sarastro, we recognise and admire your wise words; but will Tamino also overcome the hard trials that await him? – Forgive me for being so bold as to tell you my doubt! I am afraid for the youth. What if, overwhelmed by pain, his spirit should fail him and he should succumb in the hard struggle? – He is a prince! Sarastro More than that – he is a man! Speaker But what if, in his early youth, he should die? Sarastro Then he will be given to Osiris and Isis and will know the joys of the gods sooner than we. (The threefold chord is repeated.) Let Tamino and his travelling companion be brought into the forecourt of the temple. (to the Speaker, who kneels before him) And you, my friend, whom the gods through us have appointed as the defender of truth – perform your sacred office and teach both of them through your wisdom what man’s duty is; teach them to know the power of the gods. (The Speaker goes off with a priest; all the Priests gather together with their palm fronds.)

No. 10: Aria with Chorus Sarastro O Isis and Osiris, grant the spirit of wisdom to the new pair! You who guide the wanderers’ steps, strengthen them with patience in danger. Priests Strengthen them with patience in danger.

Sarastro Let them see the benefits of their trial; but if they should succumb, reward their courageous course and admit them to thy dwelling! Priests Admit them to thy dwelling. (Sarastro leads the way; all follow him out.) (Change of scene: night; thunder rolls in the distance. The stage becomes a small forecourt of the temple, with ruins of fallen columns and pyramids and some thorn bushes. On both sides are tall, practicable ancient Egyptian doors, representing side buildings.) (Tamino and Papageno are led in by the Speaker and the Second Priest, who remove the sacks from their heads and then go out.) Tamino What a terrible night! – Papageno, are you still with me? Papageno Of course I am! Tamino Where do you think we are now? Papageno Where? Well, if it weren’t so dark, I’d tell you – but as it is – (a clap of thunder) Oh dear! Tamino What’s the matter? Papageno I don’t feel at all well about this! Tamino You are afraid, I can tell. Papageno Not afraid exactly, only it’s running ice-cold down my back. (a loud clap of thunder) Oh dear! Tamino What is it? Papageno I think I’m getting a bit of a fever. Tamino Shame on you, Papageno! Be a man! Papageno I wish I were a girl! (a very loud clap of thunder) Oh! Oh! Oh! This is my last moment! (The Speaker and the Second Priest enter with torches.) Speaker Strangers, what do you seek or ask of us? What drives you to force your way within our walls? Tamino Friendship and love. Speaker Are you prepared to fight for them with your life? Tamino Yes! Speaker Even if death were your fate? Tamino Yes! Speaker Prince, there is still time to turn back – one step further, and it will be too late. Tamino Let the teaching of wisdom be my victory, and Pamina, that lovely girl, my reward! Speaker You will submit to every trial? Tamino To every one! Speaker Give me your hand! (They shake hands.) So! Second Priest Before you go on, allow me a few words with this stranger. – Do you, too, wish to win the love of wisdom? Papageno Fighting isn’t my line. – And really I don’t want any wisdom at all. I’m a child of nature, happy with sleep, food and drink; – and if it could be, that one day I might catch myself a pretty little wife. Second Priest You will never get one unless you submit to our trials. Papageno And what does this trial consist of? Second Priest Submitting to all our laws, and not fearing even death. Papageno I’ll stay single! Speaker But if you could win yourself a virtuous, beautiful girl? Papageno I’ll stay single! Second Priest But what if Sarastro had kept a girl for you who was exactly like you in colour and dress? Papageno Like me? Is she young? Second Priest Young and beautiful! Papageno And her name? Second Priest Papagena. Papageno What? – Pa –? Second Priest Papagena! Papageno Papagena? – I’d like to see her, just out of curiosity. Second Priest See her you may! Papageno But after I have seen her, will I have to die? (The Second Priest makes an ambiguous gesture.) Yes? – I’ll stay single! Second Priest You may see her, but you may not speak a word to her until the time is up. Will your spirit have enough constancy to keep your tongue in check? Papageno Oh yes! Second Priest Your hand! You shall see her. Speaker On you too, Prince, the gods impose a salutary silence; without it you are both lost. – You will see Pamina, but you may never speak to her; this is the beginning of your time of trial.

No. 11: Duet Two Priests Guard yourself from women’s tricks; this is the first duty of our Order. Many a wise man has been deceived, has failed and never seen his error; finding himself at last abandoned, his loyalty repaid with scorn! – In vain were all his efforts: death and despair were his reward. (Both Priests go out.) Papageno Hey, bring some lights! Bring some lights! – It’s really strange: every time those gentlemen leave you, you can’t see a thing with your eyes wide open. Tamino Bear it with patience, and remember that it is the will of the gods. (The three Ladies rise up through the trapdoor.)

No. 12: Quintet Ladies What? What? Why are you in this frightful place? Never! never! never! will you escape from it alive! Tamino! your doom is sealed! Papageno, all hope for you is lost! Papageno No, no, that is too much. Tamino Papageno, be quiet! Will you break your vow never to speak with women here? Papageno You heard them; we are done for! Tamino Quiet, I say – be quiet! Papageno Always quiet! Always quiet! Ladies The Queen is quite close to you, she has entered the temple secretly! –

Papageno What’s that? She’s in the Temple? Tamino Quiet, I say – be quiet! – Are you so presumptuous as to always forget your sworn duty? – Ladies Listen, Tamino, you are lost! Think of the Queen! There are many rumours concerning the wicked ways of these priests! Tamino (aside) A wise man seeks proof and disregards what the common rabble say. Ladies There are many rumours concerning the wicked ways of these priests! They say that whoever joins their order goes straight to Hell, lock, stock and barrel. Papageno The devil they do! That’s outrageous! Tell me, Tamino, is it true? Tamino Only idle women’s talk, but invented by deceivers. Papageno Yet the Queen says the same!

Tamino She is a woman, with a woman’s mind! Be quiet, let my word suffice; remember your duty and be prudent. Ladies (to Tamino) Why are you so sharp with us? Papageno is silent too? – Speak! Papageno Gladly I would...indeed – Tamino Hush! Papageno As you see, I may not! – Tamino Hush! Papageno I am really ashamed that I cannot give up chattering! Tamino You should be ashamed that you cannot stop chattering! Ladies We must withdraw in shame, for no one will speak to us. Tamino and Papageno You must withdraw in shame, for no one will speak to you.

All A man is strong in spirit; he considers what he may say! Initiates (from within) The sacred threshold is defiled! Away with the women, to Hell! (thunder, lightning; simultaneous mighty thunder) Ladies Alas! Alas! Papageno Alas! Alas! Alas! (The Ladies plunge down through the trapdoor. Papageno falls to the ground in fright. Then the threefold chord begins.) (The Speaker and the Second Priest enter with torches.) Speaker Hail to you, young man! Your steadfast, manly conduct has triumphed. You still have many a rough and dangerous road to travel, but with the help of the gods you will bring it to a happy end. – So let us continue our journey with pure hearts. (He puts the sack over Tamino’s head.) So! Now come! (goes out) Second Priest What do I see! Friend, get up! What is the matter with you? Papageno I’m lying in a faint! Second Priest Up! Pull yourself together and be a man! Papageno (gets up) But just tell me, my dear sirs, why must I suffer all these torments and terrors? – If the gods really have a Papagena in store for me, why must I win her through so many dangers? Second Priest Let your own reason answer that inquisitive question. Come! My duty bids me lead you on. (He puts the sack over Papageno’s head.) Papageno With all this endless wandering, a fellow could lose all interest in love forever. (goes out) (Change of scene: a pleasant garden; trees planted in a horseshoe; in the middle, a bower of flowers and roses in which Pamina is asleep. The moon shines on her face. Right at the front is a grassy bank. Monostatos enters and, after a pause, sits down.)

Monostatos Ha, so here I find the prudish beauty! – And for the sake of such a trifling little plant they wanted to beat the soles of my feet? – So it’s only thanks to today that I can still walk the earth with a whole skin. – Hm! – What was my crime, after all? – That I fell for a flower transplanted from foreign soil? – And what man, even one who came from a milder clime, would stay cold and unmoved at such a sight? – By all the stars! That girl will drive me out of my mind yet. – The fire glowing in me will consume me yet. (He looks around on all sides.) If I knew – that I was quite alone and unobserved – I would try it once more. (He fans himself with both hands.) Love is a damned foolish business! – One little kiss, I should think, could be excused.

No. 13: Aria Monostatos Every creature feels the joy of love, and bill and coo and hug and kiss – but I must forego love because a black man is ugly! Have I not been given a heart? Am I not flesh and blood? To live forever without a wife would really be like hellfire. So, because I live, I will bill and coo, kiss, be tender! – Dear, good moon, forgive me: a white skin has seduced me! White is beautiful, I must kiss her: therefore, moon, hide your face from me! – If this upsets you too much, then close your eyes. (He creeps slowly and quietly towards her.) (Amid thunder, the Queen rises through the middle trapdoor, so that she stands directly in front of Pamina.) Queen Stand back! Pamina (waking) You gods! Monostatos (recoiling) Oh dear! – That is – unless I’m mistaken – the goddess of the night. (stands stock-still) Pamina Mother! Mother! My mother! (She falls into her arms.) Monostatos Mother? Hm! I must listen to this from a distance. (creeps away) Queen Thank the violence with which you were torn from me that I still call myself your mother. – Where is the youth I sent to you? Pamina Ah, Mother, he is lost to the world and to mankind forever. – He has dedicated himself to the initiates. Queen To the initiates? – Unhappy daughter, now you are torn from me forever. Pamina Torn from you? – Oh, let us flee, dear Mother! Under your protection I will defy any danger. Queen Protection? Dear child, your mother can no longer protect you. – With your father’s death my power went to the grave. Pamina My father – Queen of his own free will handed the sevenfold circle of the sun to the initiates; Sarastro wears this mighty sun-circle on his breast. – When I pleaded with him about it, he said, with a furrowed brow: “Woman! My last hour has come – all the treasures that I alone possessed are yours and your daughter’s.” – “The all-consuming circle of the sun –”, I broke in hastily. – “Is destined for the initiates”, he answered. “Sarastro will manage it as manfully as I have done until now. – And now not another word; do not inquire into things that are beyond a woman’s understanding. – Your duty is to entrust yourself and your daughter to the guidance of wise men.” Pamina Dear Mother, from all this I must conclude that the youth, too, is lost to me forever. Queen Lost, unless before the sun colours the earth you persuade him to flee through these underground vaults. – The first gleam of day will decide whether he is given wholly to you or to the initiates. Pamina Dear Mother, could I not love the youth just as tenderly as an initiate as I love him now? – My father himself was allied with these wise men; he always spoke of them with delight, praised their goodness – their understanding – their virtue. – Sarastro is no less virtuous. Queen What do I hear? – You, my daughter, could defend the shameful principles of these barbarians? – Love a man who, allied with my mortal enemy, would be plotting my downfall every moment? – Do you see this steel? – It has been sharpened for Sarastro. – You will kill him and deliver the mighty circle of the sun to me. Pamina But, dearest Mother! – Queen Not a word!

No. 14: Aria Queen Hell’s vengeance seethes in my heart; the flames of death and despair engulf me! If Sarastro dies not by your hand, you will be my daughter no more. Forever repudiated, forever abandoned, forever destroyed be all the ties of nature if Sarastro’s blood is not shed by your hand! – Hear, hear, hear me, ye gods of vengeance – hear! – a mother’s vow! – (She sinks out of sight.) Pamina (the dagger in her hand) I am to commit murder? – Gods! I cannot do it. – I cannot do it! (stands lost in thought) Monostatos (entering quickly, stealthily and very pleased) So Sarastro’s sun-circle has its effect too? – And to get hold of it, the pretty girl is to murder him? – That’s salt in my soup! Pamina But did she not swear by all the gods to disown me if I do not turn the dagger against Sarastro? – Gods! – What shall I do now? Monostatos Trust yourself to me! (takes the dagger from her) Pamina (startled, cries out) Ha! Monostatos Why are you trembling? At my black colour, or at the murder you have been planning? Pamina (timidly) Then you know? – Monostatos Everything. – I even know that not only your life but your mother’s too is in my hands. – I need say only one word to Sarastro, and your mother will be drowned here in this vault, in the very water that is supposed to purify the initiates, so they say. – She will certainly not get out of this vault with a whole skin if I so choose. – So you have only one way to save yourself and your mother. Pamina And that is? Monostatos To love me. Pamina (trembling, to herself) Gods! Monostatos (joyfully) The storm is driving the young sapling my way. – Well, girl! – Yes or no! Pamina (resolutely) No! Monostatos (full of rage) No? And why? Because I bear the colour of a black ghost? – Isn’t that it? – Ha, then die! (He seizes her by the hand.) Pamina Monostatos, see me here on my knees – spare me! Monostatos Love or death! – Speak! Your life hangs by a thread. Pamina I have given my heart to the youth. Monostatos What do I care about what you have given! – Speak! Pamina (resolutely) Never! (Sarastro appears.) Monostatos Then die! (Sarastro quickly holds him back.) My lord, what I did is not punishable; they have sworn to kill you, and so I wanted to avenge you. Sarastro I know all too much. – I know that your soul is as black as your face. – And I would punish this black deed with the utmost severity, were it not that a wicked woman, who has a very good daughter, forged the dagger for it. – Thank the woman’s wicked deed that you go unpunished. – Go! Monostatos (as he goes) Now I’ll seek out the mother, since the daughter is not meant for me. (goes out) Pamina My lord, do not punish my mother; her grief at my absence ... Sarastro I know everything. – I know that she is wandering in the underground chambers of the temple, brewing vengeance on me and on mankind. – But you shall see how I take my revenge on your mother. – May heaven only grant the gracious youth courage and constancy in his pious resolve; then you will be happy with him, and your mother shall return to her castle in shame.

No. 15: Aria Sarastro Within these sacred halls revenge has no place! And if a man should fall, Love leads him back to duty. Then, hand in hand with a friend, he goes, content and happy, to a better land. Within these sacred walls, where each man loves his neighbour – no traitor can lurk, for enemies are forgiven. If one delights not in this teaching, he is unworthy of the name of Man. (Both go out.) (Change of scene: a hall where the flying machine can travel. The flying machine is surrounded by roses and flowers, and a door then opens in it. Tamino and Papageno, without sacks, are led in by the two Priests. Right at the front are two grassy banks.) Speaker Here you are both left to yourselves. – As soon as the rasping trombone sounds, make your way there. – Prince, farewell! We shall see each other before you reach your goal. – Once more, do not forget the word: silence. (goes out) Second Priest Papageno, whoever breaks his silence in this place will be punished by the gods with thunder and lightning. Farewell! (goes out) (Tamino sits down on a grassy bank.) Papageno (after a pause) Tamino! Tamino (reproachfully) Shh! Papageno What a jolly life this is! – I’d rather be in my straw hut, or in the forest; at least there I’d hear a bird whistle now and then. Tamino (reproachfully) Shh! Papageno Surely I may talk to myself; and the two of us can talk together too – we are men, after all. Tamino (reproachfully) Shh! Papageno (sings) La la la – la la la! – With these people you don’t even get a drop of water, let alone anything else. (An ugly old woman rises through the trapdoor, carrying a large cup of water on a tray.) Papageno (looks at her for a long time) Is that for me? Old Woman Yes, my angel! Papageno (looks at her again and drinks) No more and no less than water. – Tell me, you unknown beauty, are all foreign guests entertained like this? Old Woman Of course, my angel! Papageno I see, I see! – Then foreigners won’t come here too often. Old Woman Very seldom. Papageno I can imagine. – Come, old girl, sit here beside me; time is dragging terribly for me. – Tell me, how old are you? Old Woman How old? Papageno Yes! Old Woman Eighteen years and two minutes. Papageno Eighteen years and two minutes? Old Woman Yes! Papageno Ha ha ha! – Well, you young angel! Do you have a sweetheart too? Old Woman Of course! Papageno Is he as young as you? Old Woman Not quite; he is ten years older. Papageno Ten years older than you? – That must be quite a love! – And what is your sweetheart’s name? Old Woman Papageno! Papageno (startled; pause) Papageno? – And where is he, this Papageno? Old Woman There he sits, my angel! Papageno I’m your sweetheart? Old Woman Yes, my angel! Papageno (quickly takes the water and splashes it in her face) Tell me, what is your name? Old Woman My name is – (Loud thunder; the old woman hobbles off quickly.) Papageno Oh dear! (Tamino stands up and wags his finger at him.) Now I won’t say another word! (The three Boys arrive in a flying machine covered with roses. In the middle stands a beautifully laid table. One Boy holds the flute, another the box of bells.)

No. 16: Terzetto The Boys Welcome for the second time, you men, in Sarastro’s realm! – He sends you what was taken from you, your flute and your chimes. If you do not scorn food, then eat and drink of it with pleasure! – When we meet for the third time, joy will reward your courage! Tamino, take heart! – Your goal is near! You, Papageno, keep quiet! – (During the trio they set the table in the middle and fly up.) Papageno Tamino, shall we not eat? (Tamino plays his flute.) You just go on blowing your flute; I’ll blow on my food. – Mr Sarastro keeps a good kitchen. – If it’s like this, then I’ll gladly keep quiet, as long as I always get such good morsels. (He drinks.) Now let’s see whether the cellar is as well stocked. – Ha! – This is wine fit for the gods! (The flute stops.) (Pamina enters.) Pamina (joyfully) You here? – Kind gods! Thank you for leading me this way. – I heard your flute – and so I ran after the sound as fast as an arrow. – But you are sad? – Will you not say one syllable to your Pamina? Tamino (sighs) Ah! (signals her to go away) Pamina What? I am to avoid you? Do you no longer love me? Tamino (sighs) Ah! (signals her away again) Pamina I am to go away without knowing why? – Tamino, gentle youth! Have I offended you? – Oh, do not wound my heart even more. – I look to you for comfort – for help – and you can wound my loving heart even more? – Do you no longer love me? (Tamino sighs.) Papageno, you tell me, tell me what is wrong with my friend? (Papageno, his mouth full, covers the food with both hands and signals her to go away.) What? You too? – At least explain to me the reason for your silence. Papageno Shh! (He signals her to go.) Pamina Oh, this is worse than an insult – worse than death! (pause) Dearest, only Tamino!

No. 17: Aria Pamina Ah, I feel that the joy of love has gone for evermore! – Never will happiness return to my heart! See, Tamino, see these tears that flow, beloved, for you alone. If you do not feel love’s yearning – I must seek peace in the grave! – (She goes out.) Papageno (eating greedily) Isn’t it true, Tamino, I can keep quiet too when I have to. – Yes, when it comes to an undertaking like this, I’m your man. (He drinks.) Long live the cook and the cellar-master! (Three trombone calls. Tamino signals to Papageno that he should come.) You go on ahead, I’ll follow soon. (Tamino tries to drag him away by force.) The stronger one stays here! (Tamino threatens him and goes off on the right, though he came in on the left.) Now I’ll really enjoy myself. – Just when I have my best appetite, I’m supposed to leave? – I’ll do no such thing. – I wouldn’t leave now even if Mr Sarastro harnessed his six lions to me. (The lions come out; he is terrified.) Oh mercy, kind gods! – Tamino, save me! These gentlemen lions are going to make a meal of me. (Tamino plays his flute and quickly comes back; the lions withdraw. Tamino beckons to him.) I’m coming! Call me a rascal if I don’t follow you in everything. (Three trombone calls.) That means us. – We’re coming. – But listen, Tamino, what else is going to happen to us? (Tamino points to heaven.) I’m to ask the gods? (Tamino nods yes.) Yes, they could certainly tell us more than we know! (Three trombone calls. Tamino drags him away by force.) Don’t rush so, we’ll still be in plenty of time to get roasted. (goes out) (Change of scene: the vault of the pyramids. The Speaker and some Priests. Two Priests carry an illuminated pyramid on their shoulders; each Priest holds a transparent pyramid the size of a lantern.)

No. 18: Chorus of Priests Chorus O Isis and Osiris! What delight! The dark night retreats from the light of the sun! – Soon will the noble youth experience a new life, soon will he be wholly dedicated to our Order. His spirit is bold, his heart is pure, soon will he be worthy of us. (Tamino is led in.) Sarastro Prince, your conduct so far has been manly and composed; now you still have two dangerous paths to tread. – If your heart still beats as warmly for Pamina, and if you wish one day to rule as a wise prince, may the gods continue to go with you. – Your hand! – Bring Pamina! (Silence among all the Priests. Pamina is led in, covered with the same sack used for the initiates; Sarastro unties the cords of the sack.) Pamina Where am I? – What a fearful silence! – Tell me, where is my young man? Sarastro He is waiting for you, to bid you a last farewell. Pamina A last farewell! – Where is he? – Take me to him! Sarastro Here! Pamina Tamino! Tamino Stand back!

No. 19: Terzetto Pamina Shall I, beloved, never see you again? – Sarastro There will be a happy reunion! – Pamina Deadly dangers await you! Tamino The Gods will protect me! Pamina Deadly dangers await you! – Tamino The Gods will protect me! Sarastro The Gods will protect him! Pamina You will not escape death, I have a premonition. Tamino The will of the Gods be done, their prompting shall be my law! Sarastro The will of the Gods be done, their prompting shall be his law. Pamina Oh, if you loved as I love you, you would not be so calm.

Tamino Believe me, I share your desire, and will be forever true. Sarastro Believe me, he shares your desire, and will be forever true. The hour has come for you to part! Pamina and Tamino How bitter separation is! Sarastro Tamino must go on his way! The hour has come for you to part, Tamino must go on his way! He must go on his way! Tamino Pamina, now I must be on my way! How bitter separation is! Pamina, now I must be on my way! I must be on my way! Pamina Tamino must really be on his way! Tamino! Tamino! must you go? Tamino Pamina! farewell! Pamina Tamino! farewell! Sarastro Hasten on, your vow summons you! The time has come; we shall meet again!

Pamina and Tamino Ah, sweet contentment, return! Farewell! (Two Priests lead Pamina to the gate. Sarastro leads Tamino off in the opposite direction; the other Priests follow them.) Papageno (from outside) Tamino! Tamino! Are you going to abandon me completely? (He gropes his way in.) If only I at least knew where I was! – Tamino! – Tamino! – As long as I live I’ll never leave your side again! – Just this once, don’t abandon your poor travelling companion! (He comes to the door through which Tamino was led away.) A Voice (calling) Go back! (A clap of thunder; fire bursts out of the door; a loud chord.) Papageno Merciful gods! – Where shall I turn? – If only I knew where I came in! (He comes to the door through which he entered.) The Voice Go back! (Thunder, fire and chord as before.) Papageno Now I can go neither back nor forward! (weeps) Perhaps I’ll end up starving to death! – Serves me right! – Why did I ever come along? (The Speaker enters with his pyramid.) Speaker Man! You would have deserved to wander forever in the dark chasms of the earth; – but the kind gods release you from your punishment. – In return, though, you will never know the heavenly joy of the initiates. Papageno Well, there are plenty of other people like me! – Right now a good glass of wine would be my greatest joy. Speaker You have no other wish in this world? Papageno Not so far. Speaker You shall be served with it! (goes out) (At once a large goblet filled with red wine rises out of the ground.) Papageno Hurrah! There it is already! (drinks) Splendid! – Heavenly! – Divine! – Ha! I’m so happy now that I could fly up to the sun, if only I had wings. – Ha! – I feel so strange in my heart! – I’d like – I wish – yes, what? (He plays the glockenspiel.)

No. 20: Aria Papageno A sweetheart or a wife is what Papageno wants! Oh, a soft little dove would be bliss! Then food and drink would be pleasant, and I could match wits with a prince, enjoy life as much as a sage and think myself in Heaven! A sweetheart, etc. Ah, can I not please even one of all the charming girls in the world? One must come to my aid, or else I shall surely die of grief. A sweetheart, etc. If none will offer to love me, the flames of desire will consume me; but if I am kissed by a woman – I shall be happy once more. (The old woman comes dancing in, leaning on her stick.) Old Woman Here I am, my angel! Papageno You have taken pity on me? Old Woman Yes, my angel! Papageno What luck! Old Woman And if you promise to stay true to me forever, you will see how tenderly your little wife will love you. Papageno Oh, you tender little fool! Old Woman Oh, how I shall embrace you, caress you, press you to my heart! Papageno Press me to your heart too? Old Woman Come, give me your hand as a pledge of our union! Papageno Not so fast, dear angel! – A union like this needs some thought. Old Woman Papageno, I advise you not to hesitate! – Your hand, or you will be locked up here forever. Papageno Locked up? Old Woman Water and bread will be your daily fare. – You will have to live without a friend, without a sweetheart, and renounce the world forever. Papageno Drink water? – Renounce the world? – No, I’d rather take an old one than none at all. – Well then, here is my hand, with my promise that I will always stay true to you, (to himself) as long as I don’t see anyone prettier. Old Woman You swear it? Papageno Yes, I swear it! (The old woman changes into a young woman, dressed exactly like Papageno.) Pa – Pa – Papagena! (He tries to embrace her. The Speaker enters and hastily takes her by the hand.) Speaker Away with you, young woman! He is not yet worthy of you. (He drags her off; Papageno tries to follow.) Stand back, I say, or tremble! Papageno Before I go back, may the earth swallow me up! (He sinks into the ground.) O you gods! (Change of scene: a small garden.) (The three Boys descend.)

No. 21: Finale The Boys The sun, the splendid herald of the morn, will soon set off upon his golden course – soon will superstition disappear, soon the wise man will triumph! – O sweet contentment, descend upon us, return to human hearts; then earth shall be a paradise and mortals be like Gods.

First Boy But see, Pamina is tormented by despair! – Second and Third Boys Where is she now? First Boy She is bereft of reason! – The Boys The sorrow of rejected love torments her. Let’s try to comfort the poor girl! – Truly, her fate is close to our hearts! – Oh, if only her young man were here! – She’s coming; let’s hide and see what she intends to do. (Pamina, half out of her senses, comes in with a dagger.) Pamina You will, then, be my bridegroom – With you I shall end my grief! – The Boys (aside) What did those sinister words portend? – The poor girl is close to madness! – Pamina Patience, beloved, I am yours – and soon we shall be wed! The Boys Madness rages in her brain – suicide is writ in her face – (to Pamina) Dear maiden, look at us!

Pamina I mean to die – for the man, whom I could never, never hate, was able to leave his dear one! – (showing them the dagger) My mother gave me this – The Boys God will punish your suicide! – Pamina Better to die by this dagger than be ruined by love’s sorrow. – Mother! because of you I suffer, and your curse pursues me! The Boys Maiden, will you come with us? Pamina Ha! The measure of my pain is full! False youth, farewell! See, Pamina dies because of you! (attempting to stab herself) Let this dagger kill me! – The Boys (restraining her arm) Ha! Unhappy girl, forbear! Should your young man see this, he would die of grief, for he loves only you. –

Pamina (recovering) What? Did he return my love yet hide his feelings from me – and turn away his face? Why did he not speak to me? – The Boys We may not tell you, but we will show him to you, and you will see with wonder that his heart is wholly yours, and that he would risk death for you! Come, let’s go find him. Pamina Lead on, for I must see him. All Two hearts aflame with love can never be parted by human weakness. – Their enemies strive in vain, for the Gods themselves protect them. (They all leave.) (The scene is transformed into two large mountains; one with a thundering waterfall, the other belching out fire; each mountain has an open grid, through which fire and water may be seen; where the fire burns the horizon is coloured brightly red, and where the water is there lies a black fog. The wings represent rocks, each with a closed, iron door.) (Tamino is lightly clad, without sandals. Two men in black armour lead Tamino in. Fire burns on their helmets; they read him the transparent words inscribed on one of the pyramids. This stands centre-stage, raised high, close to the grid.)

Armoured Men (Their melody is that of the choral tune “Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh’ darein”, set to Luther’s versification of the 12th Psalm. Luther’s poem was the basis for the text for Bach’s Cantata BWV 2.) He who travels these laborious paths will be purified by fire, water, air and earth. If he overcomes his fear of death, he will raise himself from earth, soar heavenwards! Enlightened, he will then be able to dedicate himself wholly to Isis’s mysteries. Tamino I fear not to face death like a man, nor to tread the path of virtue! – Unlock the gates of fear – I gladly dare the perilous road! – (He is about to leave.) Pamina (from within) Tamino, stop! I must see you! Tamino What was that? Pamina’s voice? – Armoured Men Yes, yes, that is Pamina’s voice! –

Tamino What happiness, now she can go with me! Now no fate can part us ever again even though death should be our lot. Armoured Men What happiness, now she can go with you! Now no fate can ever part you again, even though death should be your lot. Tamino Have I permission to speak to her? – Armoured Men You have permission to speak to her! Tamino What joy to meet again and enter the temple happily, hand in hand. A woman who does not fear darkness and death is worthy and will be made initiate. Armoured Men What joy to meet again and enter the temple happily, hand in hand. A woman who does not fear darkness and death is worthy and will be made initiate. (The door is opened, Tamino and Pamina embrace.) Pamina My Tamino! Oh, what happiness! Tamino My Pamina! Oh, what happiness! Here are the gates of fear, that threaten me with danger and with death.

Pamina Wherever you go, I shall be at your side. – I myself shall lead you – Love is my guide – (takes him by the hand) She will strew the way with roses, for roses are always found with thorns. Play on your magic flute; it will protect us on our way. In a magic hour, my father cut it from the deepest roots of a thousand-year-old oak amid thunder, lightning – storm and roaring winds. – Come, now, and play the flute! It will guide us on the dread path. Pamina and Tamino We walk, by the power of music, in joy through death’s dark night. Armoured Men You walk, by the power of music, in joy through death’s dark night. (The doors are closed behind them; Tamino and Pamina are seen making their way. Tamino plays on his flute. As soon as they have emerged from the fire they embrace one another and remain at the centre of the stage.) Pamina and Tamino We passed through the glowing fire and bravely faced the danger. May your music protect us in the flood as it did in the fire.

(Tamino plays; they are seen making their way down and after a time coming up again; immediately a door opens; the entrance to a brightly lit temple is revealed.) Pamina and Tamino Ye Gods, what a joyful moment! The joy of Isis is accorded to us! – Attendants and Priests (from within) Victory, victory, victory, O noble pair, you have overcome the danger! Isis’s rites are now yours! Come, come, enter the Temple. (The scene changes back to the previous garden.) Papageno Papagena! Papagena! Papagena! (playing his pipes) Little wife! my dove! my beauty! – In vain! Ah, she is lost! I was born to be unlucky! – I chattered, and that was naughty, so I got what I deserved! – Ever since I tasted that wine – ever since I saw that pretty girl, my heart has been burning and it pinches me here and there! Papagena! Wife of my bosom! Papagena, dearest dove! It is in vain, all useless! I am weary of life!

Death puts an end to love when it burns your heart like this. (takes a rope from around his waist) I shall ornament this tree by hanging myself from it because my life has gone all wrong. Goodnight, deceiving world! – You treated me badly and denied me a pretty mate, so it is all over, so I shall die. Pretty maidens, think of me! – If someone takes pity on me, poor wretch, before I hang myself – I will let it go this time! Speak up: yes, or no! – No one hears me; all is silent! So this, then, is your decision! Papageno, get on with it and end your weary life. I’ll wait a little longer – while I count: one, two, three! (He pipes, looking around him.) one! two! three! Well, that’s it, then! As no one holds me back, good night, deceiving world! (He is about to hang himself.) The Boys (flying down) Stop, Papageno, and be wise! You only live once, let that suffice! Papageno Well may you counsel, well may you laugh; but if your hearts were burning like mine, you too would be looking for girls.

The Boys Then play your bells; they will bring your mate along. Papageno What a fool I am! I forgot the magic instrument! (takes out his instrument) Resound, magic bells, resound, I must see my darling girl! (The boys run to their flying-gondola and bring out the woman.) Ring, little bells, ring, send my sweetheart here to me! Ring, little bells, ring, bring my mate here! Ring, little bells, ring, bring my little wife here! Bring her here! my sweetheart, my little wife! The Boys Hey! Papageno, look over here! (They fly up. Papageno looks around.) Papageno Pa-pa-ge-na! Papagena Pa-pa-ge-no! Papageno Do you pledge yourself to me? –

Papagena Yes, I pledge myself to you! Papageno So, now you’re my little dear wife! Papagena So, now you’re my heart’s little dove! Both How happy we will be if the Gods are gracious and bless our love with children, with darling little children! Papageno First a little Papageno! Papagena Then a little Papagena! Papageno Then another Papageno! Papagena Then another Papagena! Papageno Papageno! Papagena Papagena!

Both The greatest joy of all will be when many Papagenas/Papagenos bless their parents! (They leave. The Moor, and the Queen with her three Ladies enter from the two trap doors. They carry black torches in their hands.) Monostatos Now softly! softly! softly! soon we will be within the Temple! Queen and Ladies Now softly! softly! softly! soon we will be within the Temple! Monostatos But, Princess, keep your word! Fulfil it! Your child must be my wife! Queen I shall keep my word, it is my will, my child shall be your wife! Ladies Her child shall be your wife! (Muffled thunder and the sound of rushing water are heard.) Monostatos But hush, I hear a fearful rushing noise, like rolling thunder and cascading water. – Queen and Ladies Yes, that rushing noise is terrifying, like the distant echo of thunder! –

Monostatos They are in the hall of the Temple. All We will attack them there, stamp out the bigots from the earth with fierce fire and mighty sword! Monostatos and Ladies (kneeling) To thee, great Queen of the Night, our revenge shall be brought as an offering! (thunder, lightning, storm) All Our power is shattered, we are all cast down into eternal night! (They sink into the ground.) (The entire stage is immediately transformed into a sun. Sarastro stands elevated; Tamino and Pamina are both in priestly raiment. The Egyptian priests stand either side of them. The three boys are holding flowers.) Sarastro The rays of the sun chase night away; the hypocrite’s surreptitious power is utterly destroyed! Chorus Hail to the initiates! You have penetrated the darkness! Thanks be to thee, Osiris! Thanks to thee, Isis! Fortitude is victorious, and, in reward, crowns Beauty and Wisdom with its eternal diadem!

End of the Opera