Prince Tamino is being pursued by a serpent, and as he falls unconscious, Three Ladies suddenly appear and slay the beast. When he rouses, the prince finds Papageno, the bird catcher, standing nearby. Papageno brazenly states that he alone slew the serpent. The Three Ladies overhear him telling this lie and punish him by placing a padlock on his mouth. They show Tamino a locket containing a portrait of Princess Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night, who is imprisoned by Sarastro. The Queen appears and declares that the Prince is to rescue Pamina and make her his bride. Upon orders from the Queen, the Three Ladies present Tamino with a magic flute which will aid him in his perilous adventure. The Three Ladies remove the padlock from Papageno’s mouth and give him a set of magical bells. They tell him that he is to accompany Tamino on his journey and that Three Spirits will guide them.

At Sarastro’s palace. Princess Pamina is guarded by the Moor, Monostatos. Papageno gains entrance to her chambers and he is fortunate that his appearance frightens Monostatos away. Pamina listens eagerly as the bird catcher relates that her mother, the Queen, has charged Tamino with the task of setting her free. Tamino, escorted by the Three Spirits, enters a sacred grove, but he is thwarted in his attempts to enter the temples where he hopes to find Pamina. A Priest tells him that Sarastro has reason for keeping the Princess from her mother, but that Friendship may help him in his quest. Tamino plays his flute, and upon hearing a reply from Papageno’s magical bells, rushes off to find the bird catcher. Papageno, caught by Monostatos escaping with Pamina. Jingles his bells. In a trance, the Moor and his slaves withdraw singing and dancing.

Sarastro appears and Tamino and Pamina are brought face to face. They confess their love, but Sarastro says that before they can be united they must endure rituals of purification. Separately, they are led away to begin these trials.

After invoking the gods, Isis and Osiris, Sarastro tells Tamino and Papageno that they must undergo the ordeal of silence. Papageno agrees to submit only after being promised that he will be rewarded with a wife if he proves worthy. The Three Ladies warn Tamino that the Queen is greatly angered, hut he refuses to speak. Upon hearing the voices of the approaching priests, the Three Ladies become frightened and flee.

Three Spirits enter, followed shortly by Pamina. The Princess confronts Tamino who continues to maintain his silence. Because of his refusal to speak, she believes he no longer loves her and she wishes to die. Sarastro tells Tamino that he must continue his purification by the elements of fire and water.

Monostatos attempts to seduce the sleeping Pamina, but a clap of thunder is heard and the Queen appears. Wrathfully she commands Pamina to murder Sarastro, but the Princess recoils. As the Queen disappears, Sarastro enters and comforts the Princess. The ordeals continue. Despite Tamino’s repeated warnings to keep silent, Papageno chatters with an ugly old woman who informs him that her sweetheart is none other than he. As if by sorcery, she is transformed into a beautiful young girl and is spirited away.

The Three Spirits enter in time to prevent Pamina’s suicide. They also halt the attempted suicide of Papageno, and when the bird catcher plays his magical bells, Papagena reappears. After the trials of fire and water are completed, Tamino is at last reunited with Pamina as Sarastro and his priests give praise.