Three Ladies kill a huge serpent that was chasing Tamino, then go to inform the Queen of the Night of his arrival. Papageno introduces himself, boasting to Tamino that he was the one who slew the serpent. The Ladies return to give Tamino a portrait of Pamina, claiming she has been enslaved by Sarastro, and they temporarily padlock Papageno’s mouth for lying. Tamino is charmed by the image of Pamina. The Queen appears, lamenting the loss of her daughter, and charges Tamino and Papageno with Pamina’s rescue. The Ladies give Tamino a magic flute and Papageno magic bells to ensure their safety. Monostatos tries to capture Pamina but is frightened away by Papageno, who tells Pamina that Tamino loves her and intends to save her. Tamino arrives at a temple and is told that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. He plays his flute, hoping to make Pamina appear. She and Papageno are nearby and, thanks to Papageno’s magic bells, are able once again to escape from Monostatos. Sarastro promises Pamina eventual freedom. She sees Tamino outside the temple and they fall in love.

Tamino and Papageno begin the first of three initiation trials to join Sarastro’s temple brotherhood. Sworn to silence, Tamino resists the temptations of the Three Ladies, but Papageno quickly succumbs. Monostatos again approaches the sleeping Pamina but is warded off by the Queen of the Night, who gives her daughter a dagger with which to murder Sarastro. Monostatos renews his quest when the Queen vanishes, but Pamina is rescued by Sarastro, who consoles her. Papageno catches a glimpse of Papagena, but is warned that he must succeed in the trials if he is to have her for a wife. Pamina is despondent over Tamino’s silence, but is saved from suicide by the Three Spirits. She is reunited with Tamino and they undergo the trials by water and fire, emerging triumphant thanks to the magic flute. Papageno also is saved from attempted suicide by the Spirits, who remind him to use his magic bells to summon Papagena. The pair plan for a fertile future. The Queen of the Night, her Three Ladies, and Monostatos attack the temple brotherhood, but are defeated and the victory of light over darkness is celebrated.