Three Ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, save the fainting Prince Tamino from a huge serpent. After they have killed the beast, the Ladies linger to admire the unconscious youth. Deciding to leave together rather than allow one of them the treat of staying to protect him, they go to inform the Queen of his arrival. Papageno introduces himself, saying he pines for a pretty wife, then boasts to the waking Tamino that he himself slew the serpent. The Ladies return to give Tamino a portrait of the Queen’s daughter, Pamina, who they say is enslaved by the evil Sarastro, and they padlock Papageno’s mouth for lying. Tamino is filled with wonder at Pamina’s beauty and feels himself falling in love. The Queen appears and laments the loss of her daughter. She charges Tamino with Pamina’s rescue, ordering Papageno to escort the prince. The Ladies hand a magic flute to Tamino and magic silver bells to Papageno to ensure their safety, appointing Three Spirits to guide them.

Sarastro’s servant Monostatos pursues and captures Pamina but is frightened away by Papageno, who tells Pamina that Tamino loves her and intends to save her. The two join voices in praise of love.

Tamino tries three doors before a High Priest appears and advises him that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. Hearing that Pamina is safe, Tamino plays his flute, hoping to make her appear. She is nearby, attempting to escape with Papageno. Monostatos and his retainers chase them but are rendered helpless by Papageno’s magic bells. Sarastro, promises Pamina eventual freedom but warns against her proud mother. When Monostatos enters with the captive Tamino, he is punished rather than rewarded by Sarastro, who upbraids him for molesting Pamina. The latter is enchanted by a glimpse of Tamino.

Sarastro announces that Tamino will undergo initiation rites. He prays that the gods may bless the youth. Sworn to silence, Tamino is impervious to the temptations of the Queen’s Ladies, who easily derail the cheerful Papageno from his course of virtue.

Monostatos, finding Pamina asleep, tries to steal a kiss but is dismissed by the wrathful Queen of the Night, who gives her daughter a dagger with which to murder Sarastro. Monostatos returns when the Queen vanishes, but Pamina is rescued by Sarastro, who consoles her.

The Spirits assure the prince and Papageno and bring them food, but Tamino remains steadfast, breaking Pamina’s heart – she cannot understand his silence. Papageno is quick to break a new oath of fasting, and he jokes with a flirtatious old lady, who vanishes when asked her name.

The priests inform Tamino that he has only two more trials to complete his initiation. Pamina is relieved when Tamino speaks to her but upset when she hears of his further ordeals; Sarastro says the lovers will meet again and separates them.

Papageno, failing the tests, still wishes for a pretty girl, but settles for the old lady, who turns into a young Papagena when he promises to be faithful. She is spirited away, however.

After the Spirits save the despairing Pamina from suicide, she finds Tamino. Two armored Guards proclaim that Tamino must pass the test of the elements. Pamina walks with him through the ordeals by water and fire, protected by the magic flute.

Papageno also is saved from attempted suicide by the Spirits, who remind him to use his magic bells, which summon Papagena. The two plan their future.

The Queen of the Night, her Three Ladies and Monostatos attack but are defeated and banished as the throng hails Sarastro, Pamina and Tamino.