Lesson 28: The Magic Flute - Act I. Scenes I-III.
by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartPerformer: European Archive
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
Astrofiammante, QUEEN OF THE NIGHT.
PAMINA, her daughter.
PAPAGENO, a bird-catcher.
TAMINO, a handsome Egyptian prince.
MONOSTATOS, chief slave of the temple.
SARASTRO, high priest of Isis.
PAPAGENA.
Three Ladies-in-Waiting to the QUEEN OF THE NIGHT; Three Youths of the Temple; Priests, Priestesses, Slaves, etc.
THE MAGIC FLUTE.
ACT I. SCENE I.
SETTING: The temple located in Memphis, Egypt and dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis.
TIME: Circa 1290 BC, around the time of Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses I.
[Enter TAMINO, chased by a serpent.]
TAMINO.
Help! Oh help! or else I am lost,
Of the cunning serpent a certain victim.
Merciful Gods! it even now approaches!
Oh, save! Oh. protect me!
[He falls fainting. The temple opens, and three veiled Ladies, attendants on the Queen of Night, come forth.]
THE LADIES.
Die, monster, by our hands.
Triumph! triumph! it is accomplished.
'Tis an heroic deed! By the courage
Of our arm he is freed.
FIRST LADY. [Looking at Tamino.]
A noble youth! gentle and handsome!
SECOND LADY.
So handsome as I never have seen.
THIRD LADY.
Yes, yes, handsome enough to be painted.
ALL THREE. [Still looking at Tamino.]
Could I my heart to love devote,
'Twould be to this fair youth.
Let us to our Princess hasten.
To her this news to impart.
Perhaps this young and handsome man
May bring her back her former rest.
FIRST LADY.
Go. then, and tell the news,
And I, meanwhile, will stay.
SECOND LADY.
No, no, go you yourself!
I will watch over him.
THIRD LADY.
No, no, that cannot be.
I will remain to guard him.
ALL THREE.
I should away. Ha, ha! How good
They'd gladly be with him alone.
No, no, that cannot be.
What would I give
If I but with this youth might live.
That is, all by myself.
It cannot be. They do not go.
It's best, then, that I go myself.
Thou handsome and lovely youth!
Thou gentle one, farewell,
Till I see thee once again.
TAMINO.
Where am I? What!
The poisonous snake lies dead beside me?
(A sylvan Flute is heard in the distance.)
What do I see? A man approaches through the valley.
ACT I. SCENE II.
PAPAGENO, TAMINO.
"THE FOWLER COMES, IN SPITE OF RAIN."
Air.
PAPAGENO.
The fowler comes, in spite of rain,
And sings his songs in merry strain.
This merry fowler, too, is known
By young and old. from zone to zone.
Knows how to whistle every sound
That birds may sing the whole year round.
Oh, none can be more blithe than I,
With these sweet warblers of the sky.
The fowler comes, in spite of rain,
And sings his song in merry strain.
This merry fowler, too, is known.
By young and old, from zone to zone.
A net for maidens I should like
Would catch the pretty dears by dozens.
I'd shut them safely up at home,
And never let them forth to roam.
TAMINO.
Holla!
PAPAGENO.
What's that?
TAMINO.
What art thou, friend?
PAPAGENO.
What am I? A man like thyself: dost not see?
TAMINO.
Thy figure, thy step, and these feathers make me doubt. Then it was you who conquered the serpent?
PAPAGENO.
Serpent! (Looking at the serpent in astonishment.) Ah! Is it dead or alive?
TAMINO.
But how couldst thou conquer him? Thou hast no weapon.
PAPAGENO.
I require none. My hands serve for weapons.
TAMINO.
But couldst thou, without a weapon?
PAPAGENO.
These fingers were sufficient. I never felt stronger than I do today.
ACT I. SCENE III.
The same. Three Ladies.
THE LADIES.
Papageno!
PAPAGENO.
Aha! They call for me! Look around, friend.
TAMINO.
For thee? Who are these ladies?
PAPAGENO.
Who they really are, is more than I know. I only know that they daily take my birds, and that, in return, they give me wine, and cake, and figs.
TAMINO.
They are, doubtless, very beautiful.
PAPAGENO.
I should think not! Or why hide their faces?
THE LADIES.
Papageno? (Angrily)
PAPAGENO.
What makes you all so cross today? Here, dear ladies, are the birds.
FIRST LADY.
From the Queen I bring this golden padlock to close thy mouth. (Puts the padlock on his lips.)
SECOND LADY.
(To Tamino.) See, this picture the great Princess has sent to thee. (Give him a picture.) It is the likeness of her daughter. Adieu! [Exit.]
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