Die Zauberflöte

Die Zauberflöte opens with Prince Tamino being rescued from a serpent by Ladies in the employ of the Queen of the Night Papageno the birdcatcher arrives and claims he killed the serpent but the outraged Ladies padlock Papagenos mouth for his lie They also show Tamino a portrait of Princess Pamina the Queens kidnapped daughter and he immediately falls in love Protected by a golden flute he sets off with the birdcatcher Papageno to rescue Pamina from the clutches of the sorcerer Sarastro and a madcap adventure involving magicians wild animals and very Masoniclike trials Triumphing over all adversity the lovers unite as the forces of light banish the darkness and Papageno even finds a true love of his own