Mozart Die Zauberflöte

The Magic Flute, or La Flûte enchantée by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a charming and magical escapade in which good battles the dark forces and ultimately triumphs. Moreover, it is a tale of love, courage and persistence. This singspiel was the last opera that Mozart wrote and premiered just 3 months before his death in 1791. For many, it is the greatest of Mozart's operas, mixing both comedy and a deep seated seriousness, displaying how wisdom and passion can be victorious in life.

HISTORY
Set in an enchanted world, this whimsical caper tells the story of how a young prince, Tamino, along with Papageno, a bird catcher, also desperately searching for love, releases his beloved from the clutches of an evil priest. The magic that comes from his flute enchants nature and allows him to conquer his fears and overcome danger. But everything is not as it seems. Who is really the evil body here? 

Act 1 
La Flûte enchantée starts by Tamino being rescued from the great serpent by 3 ladies who work for the queen of the night. They show him a picture of the queen's daughter, Pamina and falls instantly in love with her. Shortly after he meets the queen, who tells him her daughter has been kidnapped by Sarastro, the evil magician. Tamino vows to rescue her and he is given a magic flute for his protection. A bird catcher, Papageno is instructed to accompany him. For protection against evil forces, Tamino is given a magical flute and Papageno receives magic bells. Upon reaching Sarastro's domain, Tamino is met by a priest who tells him it is Pamina's mother who is evil and Sarastro is merely protecting her. When they Tamino and Pamina, they fall instantly in love.

Act 2
Before Tamino and Pamina can be together, Sarastro imposes a series of tests on Tamino. The first is a test of silence. The second is to resist any temptation, no conversation, no food and no women. Believing Tamino is ignoring her, Pamina decides to take her own life, but is stopped by three boys who convince her that Tamino does indeed love her. Tamino and Pamina must be pass the third test together, the test of fire and water. By using the magic flute, they pass the test. Meanwhile, Papageno who has been searching for love the whole time, finds his true love Papagena by playing his magic bells. Pamina's mother is furious by the events and tries to break into Sarastro's temple, but is repelled. The singspiel ends with light triumphing over death.

MAIN ROLES
Tamino: A young prince, tenor
Papageno: A bird catcher, baritone
Pamina: Daughter of the Queen of the Night, soprano
The Queen of the Night: Pamina's mother, coloratura soprano
Sarastro: bass
Three ladies: 2 sopranos and a mezzo-soprano