"Der Hölle Rache"
The vengeance of Hell
Death and despair flame about me!
If Sarastro does not, through you,
Feel the pain of death,
Then you will nevermore be my daughter.
May you be forever disowned,
May you be forever abandoned,
Destroyed forever be
All the bonds of nature,
If not through you
Sarastro will grow pale!
Hear, Gods of Revenge,
Hear a mother's oath!
The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Sarastro tells the priests Tamino will undergo initiation rites. Monostatos tries to kiss the sleeping Pamina but is surprised by the appearance of the Queen of the Night. The Queen gives her daughter a dagger and orders her to murder Sarastro.
Sarastro finds the desperate Pamina and consoles her, explaining he is not interested in vengeance. Tamino and Papageno are told they must remain silent and are not allowed to eat, a vow that Papageno immediately breaks when he takes a glass of water from a flirtatious old lady. When he asks her name, the old lady vanishes. The three spirits appear to guide Tamino through the rest of his journey and to tell Papageno to be quiet. Tamino remains silent even when Pamina appears. Misunderstanding his vow for coldness, she is heartbroken.
The priests inform Tamino he has only two more trials to complete. Papageno, who has given up on entering the brotherhood, longs for a wife instead. He eventually settles for the old lady, who turns into a beautiful young Papagena but then disappears.
Pamina and Tamino are reunited and face the ordeals of water and fire together, protected by the magic flute.
Papageno tries to hang himself on a tree but is saved by the three spirits, who remind him his magic bells will find him true happiness. When he plays the bells, Papagena appears. The Queen of the Night, her three ladies, and Monostatos attack the temple but are defeated and banished. Sarastro blesses Pamina and Tamino as all join in hailing the triumph of courage, virtue, and wisdom.