Listening Guide

Connection to the Story: Tamino learns that Pamina is still alive. Filled with joy, he plays the magic flute, and bewitches wild animals with his enchanting melody.

Connection to the Story: Sarastro orders Tamino and Papageno to undergo a purification process before they can be tested for admittance to the brotherhood of the Temple. He leads a prayer to Isis and Osiris to grant Tamino and Papageno wisdom, strength and patience in the trials of initiation.

Connection to the Story: The Queen of the Night pays an evening visit to her daughter Pamina. Pamina is overjoyed to see her mother, but the Queen makes a dreadful demand of her: if she doesn't kill Sarastro with the knife which the Queen hands her, she will no longer be her daughter.

Connection to the Story: During the initiation trials, Tamino plays the magic flute which attracts Pamina. The vow of silence forbids him to speak to her. Pamina takes his silence as a sign that he no longer loves her. She is heartbroken: if Tamino doesn't return her love, then she would rather die.

Connection to the Story: Papageno contemplates hanging himself if he cannot find true love. The three boys arrive just in time and remind him to play his magic chimes. As he does so, Papagena appears and the two sing an uplifting duet, in which they celebrate their union.