Pursued by a giant serpent while hunting near the Temple of Isis, Prince Tamino faints from fear. Three Ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, appear and kill the monster; then they leave to tell their mistress about the handsome stranger. Tamino awakens, astonished to find the serpent dead. He hides as distant pipes announce the approach of Papageno, the Queen’s birdcatcher, who enters singing of his carefree life and his quest for a pretty wife. When Tamino steps forward, Papageno claims to have saved him, at which the Ladies reappear and padlock his mouth for lying. They give Tami no a portrait of the Queen’s daughter, Pamina, and he falls in love at first sight. Suddenly, darkness and ominous rumblings herald the arrival of the Queen, who calls on Tamino to save her daughter from captivity at the hands of the sorcerer Sarastro. To protect Tamino on this mission, the Ladies provide him with a magic flute and with the company of the unwilling Papageno, to whom they present a set of silvery magic bells. Three Genii, they promise, will guide the pair to their destination.

In Sarastro’s domain, Monostatos – chief among the slaves-has pursued and caught Pamina, but he runs in fright at the sight of the outlandish Papageno. The birdman then joins the relieved Pamina in a song praising married love. When they have gone, the Genii appear and show Tamino the gates to three temples; a High Priest steps forth to tell him that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is villainous. When voices within tell that Pamina is still alive, Tamino joyfully plays the magic flute and, hearing Papageno pipe a reply, hurries off to find his companion. No sooner is he gone than Pamina and Papageno rush in, again pursued by Monostatos and his crew, but Papageno renders the attackers harmless by playing on his chimes. Sarastro, entering to a march of praise, tells Pamina she will eventually be set free but warns against her proud, ambitious mother. When Monostatos enters with the captured Tamino, he is punished rather than rewarded by Sarastro, who upbraids the slave for molesting Pamina. Meanwhile, Tamino recognizes Pamina, who returns his love. Priests then lead off Tamino and Papageno.

The priests file in to a march, whereupon Sarastro announces Tamino’s candidacy for initiation; he prays for the blessings of Isis and Osiris. Two priests lead the veiled Tamino and Papageno into a place of temptation, where they warn of the trials ahead and swear them to silence. When the Queen’s Ladies appear, trying to lure the men from their purpose, the prince stands firm.

Monostatos, finding Pamina asleep in the temple garden, tries to steal a kiss but is dismissed by the wrathful Queen of the Night, who demands that Pamina kill Sarastro and then vanishes. Monostatos returns, but Pamina is rescued by Sarastro, who proclaims the principle of brotherly love.

Tamino and Papageno are led to another place of temptation, where they encounter an old woman who claims to be the birdcatcher’s sweetheart; she disappears when he asks her name. After the Genii have reassured the two novices and provided them with food, Pamina enters; at Tamino’s silence she becomes disconsolate and leaves. The prince drags off gluttonous Papageno.

Before the temple, the priests recount the steadfastness of Tami no, who is told by Sarastro that he still has two dangerous trials to undergo. Pamina is brought in, but the lovers are separated. When Papageno, learning that he has failed in his initiation, pleads for a pretty girl, he is rewarded by the old woman, who, on his promise to be faithful, turns into the pert young Papagena. But the High Priest tells Papageno he is not yet worthy of a wife.

In a palm garden the Genii, singing of wisdom’s approaching dawn, save the despairing Pamina from suicide. Later, at the caverns of fire and water, two men in armor warn Tamino that he must pass the test of the elements. Joined by Pamina and aided by his magic flute, he is successful. Meanwhile, Papageno, believing himself forsaken, tries to hang himself; he is saved by the Genii, who tell him to sound his chimes. Papagena and he are reunited.

The Queen of the Night storms the temple with her Ladies and Monostatos but is driven back and with a cry, sinks into the earth. Sarastro and the lovers are hailed by the multitude that throngs the Temple of the Sun.