THE COMPOSER:  Born in Salzburg, Mozart displayed his gift at a young age.  By the age of 13, he was touring courts in Paris and London.  He died young, of a feverish illness that was not diagnosed, but has caused much speculation.  Convention holds that he was not poisoned, though many authors would have us believe otherwise. 

THE STORY:  In an imaginary Egypt, the Queen of the Night's attendants have just saved Tamino from a giant serpent and leave to tell their mistress.  Papageno enters the scene as Tamino wakes and claims to be the hero.  When the attendants arrive with their Queen, Papageno is punished for his lie, and the Queen charges Tamino with the task of saving her daughter Pamina from the evil Sarastro.  She gives Tamino a Magic Flute and Papageno Silver Bells.

Tamino and Papageno embark on their quest, Papageno straying a bit in time to save Pamina from the lusty servant of Sarastro.  He tells her of Tamino, saying Tamino loves her and will save her.

Meanwhile, in the Temple of Sarastro, Tamino learns from the High Priest that the Queen is the evil one.  Tamino relaxes outside the Temple and hears Papageno's bells; when they reunite, Pamina catches a glimpse of Tamino as he and Papageno head back into the Temple, and she immediately falls for him.  She and Sarastro remain, talking, him promising her freedom. 

Tamino and Papageno agree to initiate themselves into the Temple, and take vows of silence and fasting.  The Queens ladies distract Papageno and he breaks his vows, and Pamina is given a dagger with the charge to kill Sarastro.

Tamino only has two trials remaining, but Papageno bows out, settling for an old lady he has met.  Pamina is suffering, not aware of Tamino's vows and marveling at his silence to her.  Nonetheless, she accompanies him through the trials, and he is kept safe by his Magic Flute.  Papageno and the old lady, transformed into Papagena, pair off, looking for a home together.  The Queen is banished after a failed attack on the Temple, and Tamino and Pamina also pair off, with Sarastro's blessing and a ceremony hailing Isis and Osiris.