Classical Movements presents “Sounds of Hope & Harmony”

 Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

 June 24, June 25 & 26, 2021

A production of the Prague Summer Nights 2021 Washington, DC Residency

Sung in German with dialogue in English

Synopsis

It is coming on evening and the Spirits are looking for something to entertain the humans how have wandered into their garden.  It’s been a long time since they have seen mortals (something about a pandemic) and they are anxious to tell a story which will please their guests.  The youngest of them suggests their favorite story about Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina.  They all agree and conjure the characters of the story from the statues in the garden — of course, saving some parts for themselves to jump in and play whenever it suits them.

And so, they begin.

Prince Tamino, lost in a wild forest, is being pursued by a giant serpent. He collapses. The Three Ladies, who serve the Queen of the Night, appear and kill the monster. They find the unconscious Tamino attractive, and they argue about who will guard him while the others report to the Queen of the Night; unable to decide, they all leave. Papageno, the birdcatcher, enters singing of the joys of his profession and his desire for a wife. Tamino recovers consciousness, and Papageno claims to have strangled the serpent himself. The Three Ladies reappear and padlock his mouth for lying. They show Tamino a portrait of Pamina; he falls in love at first sight. The Queen arrives. She tells Tamino that Pamina is her daughter, who has been captured by the evil Sarastro. She persuades Tamino to rescue Pamina, promising him Pamina’s hand if he succeeds. The Three Ladies give Tamino a magic flute and Papageno a set of magic bells to protect them on their journey. The Three Spirits will guide them to Sarastro’s temple.

In Sarastro’s palace, his slave, Monostatos, is trying to pursue Pamina when Papageno appears. Monostatos and Papageno are terrified by each other and flee. But Papageno returns and reassures Pamina that her mother has sent Tamino to help her. She is overjoyed to learn that Tamino loves her. They leave together.

The Three Spirits lead Tamino to Sarastro’s temple grove. Tamino plays his magic flute to summon Pamina and Papageno; its sounds tame the animals. Papageno answers with his pipes, and Tamino rushes off to find them.

Papageno and Pamina are making their way toward Tamino when they are captured by Monostatos. Papageno uses his magic bells to enchant his enemies, making them dance away. Sarastro and his entourage approach. Pamina confesses to Sarastro that she tried to escape because of Monostatos’s advances. Sarastro is kind, but he says he cannot grant her freedom. Monostatos now enters with Tamino as his prisoner. Tamino and Pamina see each other for the first time and rush into each other’s arms. Monostatos seeks a reward, but instead Sarastro punishes him for lusting after Pamina. Sarastro leads Tamino and Papageno to the temple.

Sarastro declares that Tamino and Papageno shall undergo trials set out by the ancient rite. Sarastro prays to Isis and Osiris, asking them to protect Tamino and Pamina. Papageno is not interested in trials; all he wants is food, wine, and a wife. A priest replies that he will get a wife only if he undergoes the trials. In the first trial, Tamino and Papageno must not speak to anyone. The Three Ladies arrive and try to get them to speak. Papageno cannot resist answering, but Tamino remains steadfast. The priests praise Tamino but scold Papageno, who does not understand why he has to undergo these trials if Sarastro has already found a wife for him.

Monostatos approaches the sleeping Pamina and is about to kiss her when the Queen of the Night, who had arrived unseen earlier, frightens him away. Seeking power that can be hers only if Sarastro dies, the Queen awakens Pamina and gives her a dagger, ordering her to kill Sarastro. After the Queen leaves, Monostatos tries to blackmail Pamina by threatening to reveal the murder plot, but Sarastro drives him off and reassures Pamina.

Tamino and Papageno are undergoing a second trial of silence. An old woman enters, carrying water. Papageno inquires if she has a sweetheart. She replies that she does, and that his name is Papageno. She then disappears. Pamina enters and tries to talk to Tamino, but he refuses to answer. She leaves in despair.

Papageno, still longing for a wife, plays his magic bells. The old woman reappears and demands that he promise to marry her, or else he will be alone forever. Papageno reluctantly agrees. She is immediately transformed into a pretty girl: Papagena. As Papageno runs to embrace her, the priests frighten her away.

The Three Spirits come upon Pamina in a courtyard. She is trying to kill herself with her mother’s dagger because she thinks Tamino has abandoned her. They promise that she will see him soon. Tamino is reunited with Pamina. They exchange loving words and enter the trials together. They are unharmed by the water and fire, thanks to the magic flute’s protection.

In a garden on the temple grounds, Papageno has given up hope of ever finding Papagena again, so he tries to hang himself. But the Three Spirits remind him of the magic bells. He plays them, and Papagena appears. The happy pair celebrate their union.

Meanwhile, Monostatos, the Queen, and the Three Ladies attempt to destroy the temple, but they are vanquished and cast into eternal darkness. Sarastro proclaims the truth has vanquished the darkness. All revel in the end of the long night, even the Queen and her allies.  The characters remove their masks and return to being statues as the Spirits dance amongst the humans, happy to have them back in the garden.  May they never leave again!