Mozart Magic FLute Booklet in English PDF

Die Zauberflöte, English translation by Clark Hecker
Version
1 (Completed June 5, 2014)
Disclaimer
This is an authentic, de novo translation from the original text, performed with little or no
reference to earlier translations. Any resemblance between any portion of this work and the
translations of others is either coincidental or is an artifact of the process of translation from a
common source.
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Preface
Some years ago, as I was preparing to go with my son to a performance of Die Zauberflöte
in Brevard, North Carolina, I cast about trying to find an English translation to read to him to
familiarize him with the plot of the opera. The best I could come up with was a musty old volume
from the local library, published a century or so ago, whose text (evidently a stage translation) was
so riddled with tortured syntax, pseudo-Shakespearean and pseudo-Biblical archaicisms, and other
Victorian baggage that it was a disappointment to me. The original, after all, was written in the
popular German of its time, so why should an English translation not reflect, to the extent that the
original allows, the realities of how we speak to one another today? Later, I located another stage
translation in the liner booklet to a CD set I own–but if anything, this one seemed even worse!
Thinking I might find something in more intelligible, modern English on the Internet, I was
shocked instead to find nothing! I was well aware that professional-quality stage translations of this
revered work do exist (the Martin and Porter translations come to mind), but evidently the terms of
their copyrights must prevent their online posting, and the local library did not have them. It
appeared to me that there was a real lacuna in the literature here, at least in terms of anything readily
available online. I realized that the translations I had in hand were of such mediocrity that I could
do better myself, and thus this project was launched.
At first, I decided on the format of a reading translation, written in plain, undistorted prose
to give the closest possible rendition of the meaning of Schikaneder’s words. Later, I decided to add
a stage translation, something which could actually be sung to Mozart’s music. I found the idea of
the parallel translations appealing, as each fulfils a different function.
This project turned out to be more complex than I realized, and it certainly was not ready
before we went to that performance in Brevard (which, incidentally, used the Martin translation); but
it has been a delight to work on, and I hope that the online public will realize as much pleasure from
it as I have. A detailed explanation and apologia follows.
The Reading Translation. The priorities here were simple: I wished to give the closest
rendition of Schikaneder’s words that was feasible. However, there are limits here: a too-literal,
word-for-word translation would quickly degenerate into an unintelligible morass of mistranslated
idioms, inappropriate word order, implication brackets, and so on. I resolved that this translation
would be written in proper modern English, and that the closest equivalent English idiomatic
expression would be substituted for German idioms found in the original. The reading translation
is written in prose and no attempt to take the music into account is made (although it may be suitable
for supertitle use).
The Stage Translation: This, being inevitably a verse translation, is a more complex
undertaking. The need for good English is as stringent here as in the reading translation; but equally
paramount is the consideration that the words one writes should not, through their accentuation
pattern or otherwise, obstruct the flow of the music or be at cross-purposes with it. In the best such
translations, the words float effortlessly on the music, to the extent that no one not otherwise
informed would even realize that they are hearing a translation. Important, too, is the preservation
of some of the rhyming schemes in the original text, and judgment must be exercised here: the
structure of Mozart’s score emphasizes some of these rhymes while basically ignoring others, and
an effort to duplicate the former in the translation is definitely called for (although there some places
where it proved beyond my ability.) Another matter to beware of concerns the pithy clusters of
unvoiced consonants so beloved of English poets, and so admired by readers of English poetry: these
can be death if carelessly dropped in the middle of a sustain or legato vocal line (just try sustaining
a note over a word like ‘lipstick’); thus, a retreat from conventional ideals of poesy is sometimes
called for.
On the other hand, it is frequently possible to be freer in the particulars of the stage
translation than is the case with a reading translation, as long as the general spirit and thrust of the
librettist’s words are honored, and one has fewer qualms about rearranging the order in which things
are said, as long as one respects those places where Mozart paints the words with music (the phrase
‘zum Grabe’ in Sarastro’s first aria comes to mind).
These considerations dictate that any stage translation is going to be a compromise; it is but
to be hoped that the compromise arrived at is an acceptable one.
Racism, Sexism, and the Alternate Blocks: Two issues bedevil anyone presenting this
opera in the modern world. The first is that one of the chief villainous characters, Monostatos, is
described as “black”, or having black skin, being of Moorish (African-Arab) ancestry; and the color
of his skin is equated in an heraldic/metaphysical sense with the evil of his personality. To American
audiences, especially, this smacks so much of anti-African-American racism that it is politically
infeasible to present the work in North America without Bowdlerizing the text in some manner to
disguise the nature of what the original says.
Ironically, Schikaneder’s text does not, on close examination, actually seem to be bigoted in
this manner. The world of 1791 Vienna would appear to be as remote as the moon from the tragic
realities of North American racial history, and the “black” character Monostatos is certainly not
African-American. Moreover, Monostatos’s aria “Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden” can legitimately
be read as a cri de coeur against racism. Nonetheless, it is appearance rather than ultimate reality
which must often be the deciding factor here.
The second issue, that of the shrill misogyny which pervades parts of the libretto (coming,
perhaps, from the darker side of early Masonic ideology), cannot be dismissed so easily, and it is a
genuine blemish on the integrity of what is otherwise a very high-minded work. In fact, my
observation is that many of the snide comments about women and femininity are acutely
embarrassing to modern audiences, especially if rendered into the listeners’ native tongue. Yet,
producers have troubled themselves much less over this issue than over the matter of racial propriety;
the reasons for this lie in the political peculiarities of our culture.
The reading translation in Column 2 is reasonably faithful to the original in these respects,
as I believe it properly should be. As to the stage translation included here, rather than taking sides
as to what should or should not be appropriate to present on the stage, I have included text written
both ways–in Column 3 is found a reasonably “straight” rendition which makes no particular effort
to hide what the original says, while, in those places where it is an issue, I have included blocks of
“sanitized” text in Column 4. It is my opinion that the decision of what to censor lies properly with
the producer, based on the circumstances of presentation, and that the translator’s role is to provide
him or her with the wherewithal to make the choice possible.
There are also a few alternate passages in Column 4 whose presence has nothing to do with
racism or sexism issues; they are merely variations which I find interesting enough to include, and
they are indicated as such.
About Versions and Variability
There seems to be considerable variability between various versions of Schikaneder’s text,

especially in those passages intended to be spoken, although one finds it to some extent in the sung
sections as well; for example, one sometimes encounters “entschwunden” rather than
”verschwunden” in Pamina’s second-act lament. Such variability is not uncommon for a document
published more than two centuries ago, and sometimes altered subtly by other parties in the
intervening centuries. The present translation is of course based on the copy at hand, which includes
fairly complete stage directions. Most modern performances do not follow the original stage
directions closely; however, they are included here for historical completeness.
Legend
Repetitions and Bracketing-Out. In some places, as we know, Mozart repeats a phrase from the
text multiple times, usually varying the underlying musical treatment. If there is no explicit
indication to the contrary, it is assumed that Mozart’s repetition pattern in the original will be
transparently mapped onto the corresponding line in the stage translation. However, there are places
where I found it expedient to vary the underlying English text in places where Schikaneder’s German
is merely repeated. Rather than writing these repetitions out explicitly, I surround the original
repeated German passage in Column 1 in curly braces and then, in column 3, the English lines
corresponding to the successive repetitions of the original text are written out in order preceded by
numerals in square brackets. Thus,
{Ich kann nichts tun, als dich [1]I’ve only sympathy to offer;
beklagen, There’s not much I can do
Weil ich zu schwach zu helfen alone.
bin.} [2] There’s not much help that
I can offer,
For I don’t have the strength
alone.
is equivalent to
Ich kann nichts tun, als dich I’ve only sympathy to offer;
beklagen, There’s not much I can do
Weil ich zu schwach zu helfen alone.
bin.
Ich kann nichts tun, als dich There’s not much help that I
beklagen, can offer,
Weil ich zu schwach zu helfen For I don’t have the strength
bin. alone.
and, for nested repeti-

{{Nein, nein!} Das kann nicht tions, [1a,2a]No way!
sein!} [1b,2b]The chance of that is
slim,
[3b] I think we understand.
Nein, nein! expands out as No way!

Nein, nein! No way!
Nein, nein! Das kann nicht The chance of that is slim,
sein!
Nein, nein! Das kann nicht
sein! The chance of that is slim,
Nein, nein! Das kann nicht
sein! I think we understand.
Alternate Block Mapping: Wherever substitutable text occurs in Column 4, the text opposite in
Column 3 which is to be replaced is enclosed in curly braces.
Syllabic Mapping: Here and there are places where the text in Column 3 has a different number of
syllables than the original German text it replaces. Where this may cause confusion with respect to
how the translated text is supposed to map onto the music, comments may appear in Column 4
suggesting how this might be accomplished. If the score adheres to the written convention that not
more than one syllable may be mapped onto one written note, then some syllabic mappings may
imply minor modifications to the lengths of individual notes sung consecutively. At no time should
it be inferred that the overall duration or melodic contour of such a sequence differ from that of the
written original.
Original Text Reading Translation Stage Translation Alternate Blocks and
Margin Notes
Erster Aufzug First Act First Act
Eine felsige Gegend, hie und da A rocky area, here and there A rocky area, here and there
mit Bäumen überwachsen. overgrown with trees. Tamino overgrown with trees. Tamino
Tamino kommt im Jagdkleide appears in hunting clothes from appears in hunting clothes from
von einem Felsen herunter mit underneath a boulder carrying underneath a boulder carrying
einem Bogen, aber ohne Pfeil. a bow, but without arrows. A a bow, but without arrows. A
Eine Schlange verfolgt ihn. giant snake is pursuing him. giant snake is pursuing him.
1. Einführung 1. Introduction 1. Introduction
Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Zu Hilfe! Zu Hilfe! Sonst bin Help! Help! Otherwise I am Oh help me! Oh help me, or
ich verloren, lost, sacrificed as victim to the else I am done for!
Der listigen Schlange zum treacherous serpent. I’ll be just a snack for this
Opfer erkoren. Merciful gods! It approaches! treacherous monster, oh gods,
Barmherzige Götter! Schon O, rescue me! O, protect me! show me mercy!
nahet sie sich! It’s gaining on me!
{{Ach, rettet mich!} Ach, [1a]Oh anyone!
schützet mich!} [1b]Protect me and deliver me!
[2b]Can anybody hear?
[3b]Can anybody hear my cry?
(Er fällt in Ohnmacht. Die Drei (He falls in a faint. The Three He falls in a faint. The Three
D a m e n e r s c h e i n e n , Ladies appear,veiled, carrying Ladies appear,veiled, carrying
verschleiert, mit silbernen silver javelins.) silver javelins.)
Wurfspießen.)
Drei Damen: Three Ladies: Three Ladies:

Stirb, Ungeheu'r, durch unsre Die, monstrous thing, by our Ha ! Got you now! You won’t
Macht! might! escape!
(Sie stossen die Schlange (They hack the snake in two) (They hack the snake in two) A variation on this has the
entzwei.) snake cut into three pieces
(entdrei), reinforcing the
Triumph! Triumph! Sie ist Triumph! Triumph! The heroic It’s done! It’s done! ubiquity of the mystical
vollbracht, deed is complete! He is freed By noble deed the day is won! number 3.
Die Heldentat! Er ist befreit by our humble bravery. We’ve set him free
Durch unsres Armes Tapferkeit. With might and modest
bravery.
Erste Dame: First Lady: First Lady:

A magnificent youth, tender A gem like this I just adore.
Ein holder Jüngling, sanft und
schön. and handsome.
Second Lady: Second Lady:

Zweite Dame:
More handsome than I have I’ve never seen the like before!
So schön, als ich noch nie
ever seen before!
gesehn!
Third Lady: Third Lady:
Dritte Dame:
Yes, yes, surely as beautiful as An artist could achieve no
Ja, ja, gewiß zum Malen schön!
a painting! more!
Three Ladies: Three Ladies:

Drei Damen:
If I were to give my heart over If I were going to fall in love,
Würd' ich mein Herz der Liebe
to love, Then he would surely be the
weihn,
It would have to be for this one!
So müßt es dieser Jüngling
Let’s go right now, it’s time to
sein. youth. hurry,
Laßt uns zu uns'rer Fürstin Let us hurry to our lady, And tell our Queen this happy
eilen, To impart this news to her. story;
Ihr diese Nachricht zu erteilen. Perhaps this handsome man can It just might be, this handsome
Vielleicht daß dieser schöne give her back her former peace. man
Mann Could help her feel at peace
Die vor'ge Ruh' ihr geben kann. again.

So geht und sagt es ihr, So go and tell her. I’ll stay here Go tell her now, you two;
Ich bleib indessen hier. in the meanwhile. I’ll stay here while you do.
Zweite Dame: Second Lady: Second Lady:

Nein, nein, geht ihr nur hin, No, no, you two go; I’ll stay No, please, you go ahead;
Ich wache hier für ihn! and watch him here! I’ll watch him here instead!
Dritte Dame: Third Lady: Third Lady:

Nein, nein, das kann nicht sein! No, no, that can’t be! I’ll No, that I won’t allow!
Ich schütze ihn allein. protect him myself. I’ll guard him here for now.

Ich bleib' indessen hier! I’ll stay here in the meanwhile! Go on, I’ll gladly stay!

Ich wache hier für ihn! I’ll watch him here! Go, please, I’ll watch him here.

Ich schütze ihn allein! I’ll protect him myself! You, go, I’ll see he’s safe!

Ich bleibe! I’ll stay! I’m staying!

Ich wache! I’ll watch him! I’ll watch him!
Dritte Dame: Thi rd Lady: Third Lady:

Ich schütze! I’ll protect him! I’ll guard him!

Ich! Ich! Ich! I will! I will! I will! Yes, I will!
(Jede für sich) (Each to herself) (Each to herself)
Ich sollte fort? Ei, ei, Wie fein! I’m supposed to go? Oh, how And when I go? Well, that’s
Sie wären gern bei ihm allein - wonderful. They would love to just grand!
{{Nein, nein!} Das kann nicht be alone with him.... They’d love to be alone with
sein!} No, no! That can’t be! him...
[1a,2a]No way!
[1b,2b]The chance of that is
slim,
[3b] I think we understand.
(Eine nach der andern, dann (Sequentially, then in unison) (Sequentially, then in unison)
alle drei zugleich)
Was wollte ich darum nicht What wouldn’t I give to be able What sacrifice would be too
geben, to live with this youth! If I had great,
Könnt' ich mit diesem Jüngling him alone with me.. If I could have him as my mate!
leben! But no one is leaving; it can’t If I could be alone with him...
Hätt' ich ihn doch so ganz be. It’s best that I go now. But here we stand; it’s not to
allein! be;
Doch keine geht; es kann nicht I might as well be on my way.
sein,
Am besten ist es nun, ich geh'.
(Zu Tamino) (To Tamino) (To Tamino)
Du Jüngling, schön und Handsome and lovely youth, Goodbye, my handsome O.T.: It is part of the unreality
liebevoll, beautiful youth, farewell, until traveler, of this fairy-tale world that
Du trauter Jüngling, lebe wohl, I see you again. Fair treasure, I will think of you perfect strangers use the
Bis ich dich wiederseh'. Until we meet again. familiar form of address with
each other; this would
(Sie gehen) (Exeunt.) (Exeunt.) certainly not be true of 18th-
century German in the real
Monolog Monologue. Monologue. world.
Tamino (erwacht, sieht Tamino (awakens and looks Tamino (awakens and looks
furchtsam umher): fearfully about): fearfully about):
Wo bin ich? Ist's Fantasie, daß Where am I? Is it fantasy that I Where am I? Do I merely
ich noch lebe, oder hat eine am still alive, or has a higher imagine being still alive, or has
höhere Macht mich gerettet? power rescued me? a higher power rescued me?
(Er steht auf und sieht umher.) (He arises and looks around) (He arises and looks around)
Wie? - Die bösartige Schlange How? The evil serpent is dead? What’s this? The monster is
ist tot? dead?
(Man hört von fern ein (A pan-pipe is heard in the (A pan-pipe is heard in the
Waldflötchen.) distance.) distance.)
Was hör ich? - Ha, eine What am I hearing? Hey, here What’s that I hear? Ah, here
männliche Figur nähert sich comes a human figure. comes someone who looks
human.
(Er versteckt sich hinter einem (He hides behind a tree) (He hides behind a tree)
Baum.)
2. Lied (Arie) 2. Aria 2. Aria
(Papageno kommt einen (Papageno comes down a (Papageno comes down a

Fußteig herunter, hat auf dem footpath; he has a large bird footpath; he has a large bird
Rücken eine große Vogelsteige, cage on his back with various cage on his back with various
worin verschiedene Vögel sind. birds in it.In his hand he has a birds in it.In his hand he has a
In der Hand hat er eine kleine little pan-pipe.) little pan-pipe.)
Waldflöte.)
Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja, I am the bird-catcher, always Oh, I’m the one who catches
Stets lustig, heisa, hopsassa! jolly, [glossolalia]! I am known birds;
Ich Vogelfänger bin bekannt as bird-catcher by young and I’m never lost for happy words.
Bei Alt und Jung im ganzen old in all the land. Both kids and seniors know me
Land. I know how to call the birds, well:
Weiß mit dem Locken and they all know the sound of “Yes, he’s the bird man,” they
umzugehn my piping. I can be happy and will tell.
Und mich auf's Pfeifen zu jolly about that, for all birds are I know these birds like family;
verstehn. mine. I play, and look, they fly to me.
Drum kann ich froh und lustig Then I am such a happy man,
sein, For all my birds are birds in
Denn alle Vögel sind ja mein. hand.
Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja, I am the bird-catcher, always Yes, I’m the guy who catches
Stets lustig, heisa, hopsassa! jolly, [glossolalia]! I am known birds;
Ich Vogelfänger bin bekannt as bird-catcher by young and I’m never lost for happy words.
Bei Alt und Jung im ganzen old in all the land. Both kids and seniors know me
Land. I would like a net for maidens; well:
Ein Netz für Mädchen möchte I’d catch dozens of them for “Yes, he’s the bird man,” they
ich, myself. Then I’d lock them up will tell.
Ich fing sie dutzendweis für with me, and all maidens would If I could only cast a net,
mich; be mine. Just think of all the girls I’d
Dann sperrte ich sie bei mir ein, get!
Und alle Mädchen wären mein. I’d lock them up and keep the
key,
And then they’d all belong to
me.
Wenn alle Mädchen wären When all maidens were mine, When all the girls belonged to
mein, I’d trade them fairly for sugar. me,
So tauschte ich brav Zucker I’d give the sugar to my I’d trade them in for sweets and
ein. favorite one. She would then tea.
Die, welche mir am liebsten kiss me tenderly. She would be Then, I’d select my favorite one O.T., S.T. syllabic mapping:
wär', my wife, and I, her husband. And offer her a sugar bun. “Lieb[sten]” > “favor[ite]”
Der gäb' ich gleich den Zucker She would go to sleep by my She’d kiss me then so tenderly,
her. side; I would rock her to sleep I’d kneel, and ask her to marry
Und küßte sie mich zärtlich like a child. me.
dann, She’d drift to dreamland in my
Wär' sie mein Weib und ich ihr arms;
Mann, I’d sing, and hold her to keep
Sie schlief' an meiner Seite ein, her warm.
Ich wiegte wie ein Kind sie ein.
(Pfeift, will nach der Arie nach (He blows on his pipe, and (He blows on his pipe, and
der Pforte gehen.) makes as if to leave.) makes as if to leave.)
Dialog Dialogue. Dialogue.

He da! Hey there! Hello!

Was da? What? Excuse me?

Sag mir, du lustiger Freund, Tell me, happy friend, who you Tell me, happy friend, who you
wer du seist? are. are.

Wer ich bin? Dumme Frage! Who I am? Dumb question! A Who I am? Dumb question! A
Ein Mensch, wie du. Und wenn person, like you. And if I now person, like you. And if I now
ich dich nun fragte, wer du were to ask who you are? were to ask who you are?
bist?

So würde ich dir antworten, daß Then I would answer you: I am Then I would answer you: I am
ich aus fürstlichem Geblüte bin. of royal blood. of royal blood.

Das ist mir zu hoch. Mußt dich That went over my head. You’ll That went over my head. You
deutlicher erklären, wenn ich have to explain yourself more need to talk more plainly if I
dich verstehen soll! clearly, if I am supposed to am supposed to understand
understand you! you!

Mein Vater ist ein Fürst, der My father is a king who rules My father is a king who rules O.T.:”Fürst” is a word that
über viele Länder und over many people and lands; over many people and lands; can also mean “prince,” but
Menschen herrscht; darum thus, I am called a prince. thus, I am called a prince. in this context we are
nennt man mich Prinz. evidently to interpret it as
meaning “king.”
Länder? Menschen? Prinz? Lands? People? Prince? Tell Lands? People? Prince? Tell
Sagst du mir zuvor: gibt's außer me then: are there also lands me then: are there also lands
diesen Bergen auch noch and people beyond these and people beyond these
Länder und Menschen? mountains? mountains?

Viele Tausende! Many thousands! Many thousands!

Da ließe sich ja eine That could allow quite a Just think what that could mean
Spekulation mit meinen venture with my birds. for me and my birds.
Vögeln machen.

Aber wie nennt man eigentlich But what is this area really But what is this place? And
diese Gegend? Und wer called? And who rules it? who rules it?
beherrscht sie?

Das kann ich dir ebensowenig I can no more answer that than I can no more answer that than
beantworten, als ich weiß, wie I can tell you how I came into I can tell you how I came into
ich auf die Welt gekommen bin. this world. this world.
Tamino (lacht): Tamino (laughs): Tamino (laughs):

Wie? Du wüßtest nicht, wo du So? You don’t know where you So? You don’t know where you
geboren, oder wer deine Eltern were born then, or who your were born then, or who your
waren? parents were? parents were?

Kein Wort! Ich weiß nur so Not a word of it! I only know Nothing! All I know is that my
viel, daß nicht weit von hier that my straw hut, which straw hut, which protects me
meine Strohhütte steht, die protects me from the rain and from the rain and cold, is not
mich vor Regen und Kälte cold, is not far from here. far from here.
schützt.

Aber wie lebst du? But how do you survive? But how do you survive?

Na, von Essen und Trinken, wie On food and drink, like On food and drink, like
alle Menschen. everybody else. everybody else.

Wodurch erhältst du das? And how do you get that? And how do you get that?

Durch Tausch - ich fange für By trading-I catch assorted By trading-I catch assorted
die sternflammende Königin birds for the star-flaming queen birds for the star-flaming queen
und ihre Jungfrauen and her virgins; in exchange, and her virgins; in exchange,
verschiedene Vögel; dafür every day I get food and drink every day I get food and drink
erhalte ich täglich Speise und from her. from her.
Trank von ihr.
Tamino(für sich): Tamino (aside): Tamino (aside):

Sternflammende Königin? Star-flaming queen? I wonder if Star-flaming queen? I wonder if
Wenn es etwa gar die mächtige that could be the great ruler of that could be the great ruler of
Herrscherin der Nacht wäre! - the night! the night!
Sag mir, guter Freund, warst du (aloud) Tell me, good friend, (aloud) Tell me, good friend,
schon so glücklich, diese Göttin have you been so fortunate to have you been so fortunate to
der Nacht zu sehen? see this goddess of the night? see this goddess of the night?

Sehen? Die sternflammende See her? See the star-flaming See her? See the star-flaming
Königin sehen? Welcher queen? What mortal can ever queen? What mortal can ever
Sterbliche könnte sich rühmen, say he has seen her? say he has seen her?
die je gesehn zu haben?
Tamino (für sich): Tamino (to himself): Tamino (to himself):

Nun ist's klar; es ist eben diese It’s clear now: it is obviously It’s clear now: it is obviously
nächtliche Königin, von der that Queen of the Night of that Queen of the Night of
mein Vater mir so oft erzählte. whom my father so often spoke. whom my father so often spoke.
Unfehlbar ist auch dieser Mann This man before me is also This man before me is also
kein gewöhnlicher Mensch. certainly no ordinary man. certainly no ordinary man.
Papageno (für sich): Papageno (to himself): Papageno (to himself):

Wie er mich so starr anblickt! That frozen way he stares at Look at the way he stares at
Bald fang' ich an, mich vor ihm me! Soon I will begin to make me! I think I’ll try to scare him.
zu fürchten. him afraid of me.
(laut) (aloud) (aloud)
Warum siehst du so verdächtig Why are you giving me that Why are you giving me that
und schelmisch nach mir? suspicious, rascally look? suspicious, rascally look?

Weil... weil ich zweifle. ob du Because....Because I doubt Because....Because I doubt
ein Mensch bist. whether you are human. whether you are human.

Wie war das? How is that? How is that?

Nach deinen Federn, die dich With those feathers all over With those feathers all over
bedecken, halt' ich dich- you, I think– you, I think–
(Er geht auf ihn zu) (He starts to approach him) (He starts to approach him)

Doch für keinen Vogel? Du, Not that I’m a bird? You, stay Not that I’m a bird? Stay away,
bleib zurück, sag' ich, und traue back, I warn you, because I I warn you, I have the strength
mir nicht; denn ich habe have the strength of a giant! of a giant!
Riesenkraft.
(für sich) (aside) (aside)
Wenn er sich nicht bald von If he doesn’t become scared of If he doesn’t become scared of
mir schrecken lässt, so lauf ich me soon, I’m out of here. me soon, I’m out of here.
davon.

Riesenkraft? The strength of a giant? The strength of a giant?
(Er sieht auf die Schlange) (He looks at the snake) (He looks at the snake)
Also warst du wohl gar mein Then I suppose you were my Then I suppose you were my
Erretter, der diese giftige savior who fought off this savior who fought off this
Schlange bekämpfte? venomous serpent? venomous serpent?

Schlange! Serpent?!! Serpent?!!
(Er sieht sich um, weicht (He looks around; seeing the (He looks around; seeing the
zitternd einige Schritte zurück) snake, he backs up a few paces, snake, he backs up a few paces,
trembling.) trembling.)
Ah! Ah! Ist sie tot oder Aaah! Is it dead or alive? Aaah! Is it dead or alive?
lebendig?

Aber um alles in der Welt, But how in the world, friend, But how in the world, my
Freund, wie hast du dieses did you battle this monster? friend, did you battle this
Ungeheuer bekämpft? Du bist You have no weapons. monster? You have no
ohne Waffen. weapons.

Brauch keine! Bei mir ist ein Don’t need ‘em! For me, a Don’t need ‘em! The strength
starker Druck mit der Hand strong squeeze of the hands of my hands works better than
mehr als Waffen. counts for more than weapons. weapons.

Du hast sie also erdrosselt? Then you strangled it? Then you strangled it?

Erdrosselt! Strangled it! Strangled it!
Bin in meinem Leben nicht so I’ve never been so strong in my I’ve never been so strong in my
stark gewesen, als heute. life as today. life as I have today.
(Die Drei Damen erscheinen (The Three Ladies appear (The Three Ladies appear
verschleiert.) wearing veils.) wearing veils.)
Drei Damen (drohen und rufen Three Ladies (threateningly Three Ladies (threateningly
zugleich): and in unison): and in unison):
Papageno! Papageno! Papageno!

Aha, das geht mich an! Uh-oh, that concerns me. Uh-oh, I have a problem.

Wer sind diese Damen? Who are these ladies? Who are these ladies?

Wer sie eigentlich sind, weiß I don’t know, myself, who they I don’t know, myself, who they
ich selbst nicht. Ich weiß nur so really are. I only know that really are. I only know that
viel, daß sie mir täglich meine every day they take my birds every day they take my birds
Vögel abnehmen, und mir dafür and in exchange give me wine, and in exchange give me wine,
Wein, Zuckerbrot und süße pastries, and sweet figs. pastries, and sweet figs.
Feigen bringen.
Sie sind vermutlich sehr schön? They are presumably very They are presumably very
beautiful? beautiful?

Ich denke nicht! Denn wenn die I don’t think so! If they were I don’t think so! If they were
schön wären, dann würden die beautiful, they wouldn’t cover beautiful, they wouldn’t cover
noch nicht ihre Gesichter their faces. their faces.
bedecken.
Drei Damen (drohend): Three Ladies (menacingly): Three Ladies (menacingly):

Papag eno (b e i s e ite zu Papageno (aside to Tamino): Papageno (aside to Tamino):

Tamino): Be quiet!They’re threatening Be quiet! I don’t like the sound
Sei still! Sie drohen mir schon me. of this.
(laut) (aloud) (aloud)
Ah, du fragst, ob sie schön You were asking if they were You were asking if they were
sind, da kann ich dir nichts beautiful; I can give no other beautiful; I can give no other
anderes darauf antworten, als answer, but that I have never answer, but that I have never
daß ich in meinem Leben nichts seen prettier ones in my life. seen prettier ones in my life.
Reizenderes gesehen habe.
Jetzt werd ich gleich wieder gut Now things will be okay for Now I hope things will be okay
sein. me. for me.
Drei Damen (noch näher Three Ladies (approaching Three Ladies (approaching
tretend, drohend): closer, threateningly) closer, threateningly)

Was hab ich bloß heute What wrong have I done today, What have I done today, that
verbrochen, daß die so that they are so upset with they are so upset with
aufgebracht wider mich sind? - me?–Here, my lovelies, I give me?–Here, my lovelies, I give
Hier, meine Schönen, übergeb’ you my birds. you my birds.
ich euch meine Vögel.
Erste Dame (reicht ihm ein First Lady (hands him a First Lady (hands him a
Gefäß mit Wasser): container of water): container of water):
Dafür schickt dir unsere Fürstin For that our queen sends you For that our queen sends you
heute zum ersten Mal statt today, for the first time, instead today, for the first time, instead
Wein reines, helles Wasser. of wine, clean, clear, water. of wine, clean, clear, water.
Zweite Dame:
Und mir befahl sie, daß ich, Second Lady: Second Lady:
statt Zuckerbrot, diesen Stein And she commanded me to And she commanded me to
dir überbringen soll. Ich bring you, instead of pastries, bring you, instead of pastries,
wünsche, daß er dir wohl this stone. I hope you will find this stone. I hope you will find
bekommen möge. it to your liking. it to your liking.

Was? Steine soll ich fressen? What? I’m supposed to eat So I’m supposed to eat rocks?
rocks?

Und statt der süßen Feigen, hab' And instead of sweet figs, I And instead of sweet figs, I
ich die Ehre, dir dies have the honor to close your have the honor to close your
goldene Schloß vor den Mund mouth with this golden lock. mouth with this golden lock.
zu schlagen.
(Sie schlägt ihm das Schloß (She puts the lock on his mouth. (She puts the lock on his mouth.
vor. Papageno hat seinen Papageno starts gesturing.) Papageno starts gesturing.)
Scherz durch Gebärden.)

Du willst vermutlich wissen, You probably know why our You probably know why our
warum die Fürstin dich heute lady is punishing you like this lady is punishing you like this
so wunderbar bestraft? today. today.
(Papageno bejaht es durch (Papageno nods his head.) (Papageno nods his head.)
Nicken mit dem Kopf.)

Damit du künftig nie mehr So in the future you won’t lie to So in the future you won’t lie to
Fremde belügst. strangers any more. strangers any more.

Und daß du nie dich der And so that you won’t claim And so that you won’t claim
Heldentaten rühmst, die andre the heroic feats of others as the heroic feats of others as
vollzogen haben. your own. your own.

Sag an! Hast du diese Schlange Tell us now! Did you battle this Tell us now! Did you battle this
bekämpft? serpent? serpent?
(Papageno verneint es, durch (Papageno shakes his head.) (Papageno shakes his head.)
Schütteln mit dem Kopf.)

Wer denn also? Who did, then? Who did, then?
(Papageno deutet an, daß er es (Papageno indicates that he (Papageno shrugs)

nicht weiß.) does not know.)
Dritte Dame (zu Tamino): Third Lady (to Tamino): Third Lady (to Tamino):
Wir waren's, Jüngling, die dich We were the ones who freed We were the ones who freed
befreiten. Hier, dies Gemälde you. Here, the great queen you. Here, the great queen
schickt dir die große Fürstin; es sends you this portrait. It is a sends you this portrait. It is a
ist das Bildnis ihrer Tochter. portrait of her daughter. She portrait of her daughter. She
"Findest du," sagte sie, "daß said to tell you, “If you find her said to tell you, “If you find her
diese Züge dir nicht a p p e a r a n c e mo r e t h a n a p p e a r a n c e mo r e t h a n
gleichgültig sind, dann ist indifferent, then happiness, indifferent, then happiness,
Glück, Ehr' und Ruhm dein honor, and glory will be your honor, and glory await you.”
Los!" Auf Wiedersehen. lot.” Good-bye.
Good-bye.
(Geht ab.) (Exit Third Lady) (Exit Third Lady)

Adieu, Monsieur Papageno! Adieu, Monsieur Papageno! Adieu, Monsieur Papageno!
(Geht ab.) (Exit Second Lady) (Exit Second Lady)

Fein nicht zu hastig getrunken! Don’t drink too quickly! Don’t drink too quickly!
(Sie geht la chend ab. (Exit First Lady, laughing. (Exit First Lady, laughing.
Papageno hat immer sein Papageno has been responding Papageno has been responding
stummes Spiel gehabt; Tamino with gestures. Since receiving with gestures. Since receiving
ist gleich beim Empfang des the portrait, Tamino has been the portrait, Tamino has been
Bildnissesaufmerksam transfixed,gazing at it as his transfixed,gazing at it as his
geworden; seine Liebe nimmt love increases, and has acted love increases, and has acted
zu, ob er gleich für alle diese numb to the preceding numb to the preceding
Reden taub schein.) exchange.) exchange.)
3. Arie 3. Aria 3. Aria
Tamino (blickt das Bildnis an): Tamino (gazes at the portrait): Tamino (gazes at the portrait):
Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd This likeness is enchantingly What tender eye has yet beheld
schön, beautiful, such as no eye has A shining vision such as this;
Wie noch kein Auge je gesehn! ever before beheld! [1]Such sweetness,
{Ich fühl es,} wie dies I feel how this divine image [2]Such radiance,
Götterbild fills my heart with new Calling out to me
Mein Herz mit neuer Regung stirrings. Awakens a thrill within my
füllt. I cannot name this something, heart;
Dies Etwas kann ich zwar nicht but I feel it burn here like fire. I have no name for this new
nennen, Could the feeling be love? yearning,
Doch fühl' ich's hier wie Feuer Yes, yes, it is love alone. I feel it here within me burning.
brennen. Oh, if I could only find her! Maybe it is...is it possible?
Soll die Empfindung Liebe Oh, if she already stood before [1]That’s it!
sein? me! [2] Of course!
{Ja, ja,} die Liebe ist's allein. I would...would..warmly and It really must be love.
O wenn ich sie nur finden absolutely..what would I do? Oh, if I just knew where to find
könnte! I, overflowing with joy, would her!
O wenn sie doch schon vor mir press her to this hot bosom, Oh, if she stood here now
stände! And she would be mine before me!
Ich würde, würde, warm und forever! I’d go and...go and...oh, what
rein, was I saying now?
Was würde ich? I’d hurry forth, and hold her
Ich würde sie voll Entzücken tightly,
An diesen heißen Busen Her shining eyes would
drücken, welcome me brightly
Und ewig wäre sie dann mein! And ever after she’d be mine!
(Tamino will abgehen. Die (Tamino makes as if to exit. The (Tamino makes as if to exit. The
Drei Damen treten auf.) Three Ladies return.) Three Ladies return.)

Rüste dich mit Mut und Arm yourself with courage and Now be brave and steadfast,
Standhaftigkeit, schöner steadfastness, fair youth! fair youth!
Jüngling! Die Fürstin - The queen..... The queen.....

... hat mir aufgetragen, dir zu ....has directed me to tell you... ....has directed me to tell you...
sagen...

Daß der Weg zu deinem ...that from now on the path to ...that from now on your path to
künftigen Glücke nunmehr your future happiness has been happiness is open.
gebahnt sei. cleared.

Sie hat jedes deiner Worte She has heard every word you She has heard every word you
gehört; Sie hat... said. She has... said. She has...
Jeden Zug in deinem Gesichte ....read every expression on ....read every expression on
gelesen... your face..... your face.....

...hat beschlossen, dich ganz and has decided to make you and has decided to make you
glücklich zu machen. very happy. very happy.

"Hat dieser Jüngling," sprach “If this young man,” she said, “If this young man,” she said, is
sie, "auch so viel Mut und has as much pluck and as steadfast and brave as he is
Tapferkeit, als er zärtlich ist, O, steadfastness as he has tender, oh, my daughter will
so ist meineTochter ganz gewiß tenderness, oh, my daughter certainly be rescued.”
gerettet." will certainly be rescued.”

Gerettet? Rescued? Rescued?

Ein mächtiger, böser Dämon A powerful, evil demon has A powerful, evil demon has
hat sie ihr entrissen. kidnaped her. kidnaped her.

Entrissen? Sagt, sagt, wo ist des Kidnaped? Tell me, where is Kidnaped? Tell me, where is
Tyrannen Aufenthalt? this tyrant’s home? this tyrant’s home?

Sehr nahe an unsern Bergen. Very near to our mountains. Very near to our mountains.
Seine Burg ist prachtvoll und His fortress is mighty and His fortress is mighty and
sorgsam bewacht. closely guarded. closely guarded.

Pamina sei gerettet! Das Pamina will be saved! I swear it Pamina will be saved! I swear it
schwör' ich bei meiner Liebe, by my love, by my heart. by my love, by my heart.
bei meinem Herzen.
(Kurzer starker Donner.) (Brief loud thunder) (Brief loud thunder)
Ihr Götter, was ist das? Gods, what is that? Gods, what is that?
(Es wird dunkel.) (It becomes dark.) (It becomes dark.)
Die Drei Damen: Three Ladies: Three Ladies:

Fasse dich! Get ready! Get ready!

Es verkündigt die Ankunft This heralds the arrival of our That means our queen is on her
unserer Königin. queen. way.
.
(Donner.) (Thunder) (Thunder)

Sie kommt! She’s coming! She’s coming!
(Donner. ) (Thunder.) (Thunder.)
(Donner. ) (Thunder.) (Thunder.)

(Die Berge teilen sich (The mountains divide and the (The mountains divide and the
auseinander und das Theater scene changes, revealing a scene changes, revealing a
verwandelt sich in ein magnificent chamber.) magnificent chamber.)
prächtiges Gemach.)
4. Rezitativ und Arie 4. Recitative and Aria 4. Recitative and Aria
Königin der Nacht: Queen of the Night: Queen of the Night:

O zittre nicht, mein lieber Oh do not tremble, my dearest Don’t be afraid, my dearest
Sohn! son! You are innocent, wise, boy!
Du bist unschuldig, weise, and pious. A youth such as you For you are guiltless, pious,
fromm; is in the best position to wise;
Ein Jüngling so wie du vermag console this deeply grieved Yes, someone such as you is
am besten, mother’s heart. whom I’m seeking
Dies tiefbetrübte Mutterherz zu To soothe and stop my ravaged
trösten. heart from breaking.
Zum Leiden bin ich auserkoren, I am singled out for suffering. For I am singled out to suffer!
Denn meine Tochter fehlet mir; For I do not have my daughter, My only daughter’s lost to me.
Durch sie ging all mein Glück All my happiness was lost with My hope and joy departed with
verloren, her, her;
Ein Bösewicht entfloh mit ihr. A villain fled with her. A wicked fiend bore her away.
Noch seh' ich ihr Zittern I still can see her trembling I still see her cringing,
Mit bangem Erschüttern, with anxious shock, Just speechless with terror
Ihr ängstliches Beben, Her terrified shaking, She looked at me,pleading,
Ihr schüchternes Streben. Her quiet struggling. As iron hands clenched round
Ich mußte sie mir rauben sehen, I had to watch her being torn her;
»Ach helft! ach helft!« war from me; She struggled but could not
alles, was sie sprach. Oh, help! Oh, help! Was all she escape them;
Allein vergebens war ihr said. “Oh, help, oh, help!” was all
Flehen, But her entreaties were in vain, she said to me.
{Denn meine Hilfe war zu for my help was too feeble. And even this she spoke in
schwach.} vain,
[1]For there was nothing I
could do.
[2] I had to watch as they
dragged her, pale and shaking,
away.
Du, du, du wirst sie zu befreien You will go and free her, You, you, you shall go to set
gehen, You will be my daughter’s her free;
{Du wirst der Tochter Retter rescuer. [1]You are my sword of
sein.} And if I see you as victor, victory,
Und werd' ich dich als Sieger she will be forever yours. [2]Yes, you shall save Pamina’s
sehen, life.
So sei sie dann auf ewig dein. And from the moment of our
triumph
She’ll be forever yours, I vow!
(Mit den Drei Damen ab. Das (Exeunt Queen and Three (Exeunt Queen and Three
Theater verwandelt sich Ladies. The scene is restored to Ladies. The scene is restored to
wieder, so wie es vorher war.) its previous appearance.) its previous appearance.)
Monolog. Monologue. Monologue.
Tamino (nach einer Pause): Tamino (after a pause): Is Tamino (after a pause): Is
Ist's denn auch Wirklichkeit, what I just saw reality? Good what I just saw real? Good
was ich sah? O ihr guten gods, don’t deceive me! gods, don’t play games with
Götter, täuscht mich nicht! me!
5. Quintett 5. Quintet 5. Quintet
Papageno (deutet traurig auf Papageno (points sadly to the Papageno (points sadly to the
das Schloß am Munde): lock on his mouth): lock on his mouth):
Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm! Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm! Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm!

Der Arme kann von Strafe The poor guy can testify to Poor man, I see how he must
sagen, punishment now, for his power suffer, his dancing words
Denn seine Sprache ist dahin. of speech is all gone. completely gone.

Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm, hm! Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm! Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm!

{Ich kann nichts tun, als dich I can do nothing but [1]I’ve only sympathy to offer;
beklagen, commiserate with you, because There’s not much I can do
Weil ich zu schwach zu helfen I am too weak to help. alone.
bin.} [2] There’s not much help that
I can offer,
For I don’t have the strength
alone.
(Die Drei Damen erscheinen, (The Three Ladies appear and The Three Ladies appear and
und treten zwischen Tamino pass between Tamino and pass between Tamino and
und Papageno.) Papageno) Papageno)

Die Königin begnadigt dich, The Queen pardons you, and All-merciful, Her Majesty
Erläßt die Strafe dir durch releases you from punishment Grants clemency to you through
mich. through me. me.
(Sie nimmt ihm das Schloß vom (She removes the lock from his (She removes the lock from his
Munde.) mouth.) mouth.)

Nun plaudert Papageno wieder! Now Papageno chatters again! Now Papageno’s free to
chatter!

Ja, plaudre! Lüge nur nicht Yes, chatter! But don’t lie Yes, talk away–but now no
wieder! again! more lying!

Ich lüge nimmermehr, nein, I’ll never again lie, no, no! I’ll never tell a lie again!
nein!

Dies Schloß soll deine This lock will be your warning. This lock will serve to warn
Warnung sein. you, then.

Dies Schloß soll meine This lock will be my warning. This lock will serve to warn
Warnung sein. me, then.
Alle: All: All:

Bekämen doch die Lügner alle If all liars got such a lock on If every one who started lying
Ein solches Schloß vor ihren their mouth, then instead of Got such a lock, the way they
Mund; hate, slander, and outrageous should,
{Statt Haß, Verleumdung, gall, there would be love and [1]Instead of vicious gall and
schwarzer Galle, brotherhood. sadness,
Bestünden Lieb' und Mankind would travel on a
Bruderbund.} higher road;
[2]Instead of slander, hate and
madness
There would be love and
brotherhood.
Erste Dame (gibt Tamino eine First Lady (gives Tamino a First Lady (gives Tamino a
goldene Flöte): golden flute): golden flute):
O Prinz, nimm dies Geschenk Oh prince, take this gift from O prince, accept this gift from
von mir! me! Our queen sends you this. me.
Dies sendet uns're Fürstin dir. The magic flute will protect you I bring it from her Majesty.
Die Zauberflöte wird dich and support you in the greatest Whenever danger looms around
schützen, adversity. you,
Im größten Unglück This magic flute will just
unterstützen. astound you.

Hiermit kannst du allmächtig With this you can act No task you dream exceeds its
handeln, omnipotently. You can change power;
Der Menschen Leidenschaft man’s passions. The sad Man’s passions reach their
verwandeln: becomes happy, and the finest flower;
Der Traurige wird freudig sein, confirmed bachelor is claimed The bachelor discovers love,
Den Hagestolz nimmt Liebe by love. And sorrow’s shroud is wafted
ein. off.
Alle: All: All:

O so eine Flöte ist mehr Oh, such a flute is worth more Oh, this flute is dearer than any
Als Gold und Kronen wert, than gold or crowns, for treasure, any throne;
D e n n d u r c h s i e wi r d mankind’s happiness and Contentedness and human joy
Menschenglück contentment is increased with Are borne aloft upon its tone.
Und Zufriedenheit vermehrt. it.

Nun, ihr s c h ö n e n Now, you lovely amazons, if I If I may, my lovely ladies,
Frauenzimmer, may, I will excuse myself. I think I’ll excuse myself.
Darf ich, so empfehl' ich mich.

Dich empfehlen kannst du You may excuse yourself any You may leave at any time,
immer, time. However, the queen has now.
Doch bestimmt die Fürstin designated you to hasten with For our Queen has chosen you
dich, the prince to Sarastro’s fortress To accompany the prince
Mit dem Prinzen ohn' without delay. To Sarastro’s stronghold,
Verweilen pronto;
Nach Sarastros Burg zu eilen. So get moving; better hustle!

Nein, dafür bedank' ich mich! No, I respectfully decline! No, I can’t do that, you see.
Von euch selbsten hörte ich, From you yourselves I have You yourselves have said to me
Daß er wie ein Tigertier. heard that Sarastro, with no He is like a savage beast.
Sicher ließ' ohn' alle Gnaden more mercy than a tiger, will At the moment I’m accosted
Mich Sarastro rupfen, braten, certainly have me plucked and He will have me plucked and
Setzte mich den Hunden für. roasted. To the dogs with that. roasted. O.T.: Setzte mich den Hunden
I can do without that treat! für, literally, “substitute me
for the dogs”, idiom meaning
“I want no part of that.”
Dich schützt der Prinz, trau' The prince will protect you; The prince will always keep
ihm allein. trust him completely. For this, you safe;
Dafür sollst du sein Diener you are to be his servant. And you will serve him loyally.
sein.
Papageno (für sich): Papageno (to himself): Papageno (aside):

Daß doch der Prinz beim Teufel If only the prince would go to The devil take his royal
wäre! the devil! My life is dear to me; highness!
Mein Leben ist mir lieb; at the end, by my honor, it I want to keep my life,
Am Ende schleicht, bei meiner sneaks away from me like a But by my honor, it is sneaking
Ehre, thief. Off from me like a thief.
Er von mir wie ein Dieb.
Erste Dame (gibt Papageno First Lady (gives Papageno a First Lady (gives Papageno a
ein Kätschen mit einem little cabinet with a little cabinet with a
Glockenspiele): glockenspiel): glockenspiel):
Hier, nimm dies Kleinod, es ist Here, take this little gift, it is Here, take this treasure, it is
dein. yours. yours.

Ei, ei! Was mag darinnen sein? Oh my! What could be in there? Oh my! What do I hear in
there?

Darinnen hörst du Glöckchen You can hear the little bells The little bells are ringing: see
tönen. sounding inside. them!

Werd' ich sie auch wohl spielen Will I also be able to play Is there a way that I can play
können? them? them?

O ganz gewiß! Ja, ja, gewiß! Oh certainly! Yes, yes, Oh, absolutely! Yes, you can!
certainly!
Alle fünf: All five: All five:

Silberglöckchen, Zauberflöten Little silver bells, magic flute, May the silver bells protect
Sind zu eurem/unserm Schutz are needed for your/our you/us;
vonnöten. protection. Good-bye! We want May the magic flute direct
Lebet wohl! Wir wollen gehn, to go, good bye, until we meet you/us.
Lebet wohl, auf Wiedersehn! again! Best of luck, let’s not be slow;
Now goodbye, it’s time to go.

Doch, schöne Damen, saget an But lovely ladies, tell us– But ladies, you forgot to say–
-

Wie man die Burg wohl finden How one can find the fortress? How we’re supposed to find the
kann? way.
Beide: Both: Both:

Wie man die Burg wohl finden How one can find the fortress? How we’re supposed to find the
kann? way.
(Die Drei Knaben erscheinen) (Enter the Three Boys.) (Enter the Three Boys.) “Drei Knaben” is here
Drei Damen: Three Ladies: Three Ladies: translated as “Three Boys”,
Drei Knäbchen, jung, schön, Three little boys, young, These three have come to be because that is what the name
hold und weise, beautiful, sweet, beloved, and beside you, literally means. Obviously,
Umschweben euch auf eurer wise, shall accompany you on With patience and with truth to these characters are not boys
Reise. your journey. They will be your guide you; in the literal sense, but rather
Sie werden eure Führer sein, leaders; follow their So let their wisdom light the allegorical apparitions taking
Folgt ihrem Rate ganz allein. instructions exclusively. way; the form of boys; and some
Pay close attention to what theytranslators have called them
say. the “Three Spirits” or the
“Three Genii” . None of these
Tamino, Papageno: Tamino, Papageno: Tamino, Papageno: labels really seems quite on
Drei Knäbchen, jung, schön, Three little boys, young, These three have come to be the mark. In some productions
hold und weise, beautiful, noble, and wise, shall beside us, actual boys sing the parts, or
Umschweben euch auf eurer accompany us on our journey. With patience and with truth to they can be sung by adult
Reise. guide us. female sopranos (as was done
in 1791). If the former is
attempted, miking is advised
to preserve dynamic balance,
as boys’ voices do not have a
lot of power.
{
Drei Damen: Three Ladies: Three Ladies: Three Boys:
Sie werden eure Führer sein, They will be your leaders; So let their wisdom light the We’ll keep our vigil over you;
Folgt ihrem Rate ganz allein. follow their instructions way; Mark what we say: our word
closely. Do just exactly as they say.} is true.
This variation allows all three
groups on the stage to sing
Alle: All: All: sequentially, in a kind of
So lebet wohl! Wir wollen So farewell! We want to go. And so it’s time to go, my ascending order.
gehn, Farewell! Farewell, until we friends,
Lebt wohl, lebt wohl, {auf meet again! Goodbye, until [1]we meet
Wiederseh'n!} again!
[2,3,4,5]So long, for now.
(Alle ab.) (Exeunt omnes.) (Exeunt omnes.)
________________________ ________________________
2. Auftritt Scene 2 Scene 2
Ein prächtiges ägyptisches A splendid Egyptian room. A splendid Egyptian room.

Zimmer. Monostatos tritt auf. Monostatos enters. Pamina is Monostatos enters. Pamina is
Pamina wird von Sklaven led in by slaves. led in by slaves.
hereingeführt.
Dialog. Dialogue. Dialogue.
Sklave: Slave: Slave:

Ha, ha, ha! Unser Peiniger, der Ha, ha, ha! Our tormentor, Ha, ha, ha! That meddling,
alles belauschende Mohr, wird that Moor who is always eavesdropping Monostatos
morgen sicherlich gehangen eavesdropping on everybody, will surely be hanged or
oder gespießt! Pamina entfloh will surely be hanged or skewered tomorrow! Pamina
vor seinen Augen. So ist der impaled tomorrow! Pamina escaped right before his eyes,
Mohr nichts mehr zu retten, escaped right before his eyes, so he will be really up the creek
auch wenn Pamina von so there will really be no hope if she doesn’t turn up soon.
Sarastros Gefolge wieder for him now unless Pamina is
eingefangen würde. recaptured by Sarastro’s
retinue.
Monostatos: Monostatos: Monostatos:

He, Sklaven! Schafft Fesseln Hey, slaves! Bring some Hey, slaves! Bring some
herbei! shackles here! shackles here!
Sklave: Slave: Slave:

Fesseln? Doch nicht für Shackles? But not for Pamina? Shackles? But not for Pamina?
Pamina? Der unbarmherzige Unmerciful devil, how he grabs Unmerciful devil, how he grabs
Teufel, wie der sie bei den her hands. I can’t bear to look her hands. I can’t bear to look
Händen faßt. Das halt ich nicht at it. at it.
aus.
6. Terzett 6. Trio 6. Trio

Du feines Täubchen, nur You fine little pigeon, come in My little turtledove, in here!
herein! here!
Pamina: Pamina: Pamina:

O welche Marter, welche Pein! Oh what torture, what torment! What endless torture, what
despair!

Verloren ist dein Leben! Your life is lost! Give up, it’s no use trying!

Der Tod macht mich nicht Death does not make me I have no fear of dying,
beben, tremble. Only the thought of But yet the thought of my
Nur meine Mutter dauert mich; my mother gives me pause; she mother gives me pause:
Sie stirbt vor Gram ganz will surely die of sorrow. She’ll die with the burden of
sicherlich. such a loss.

He, Sklaven, legt ihr Fesseln Hey, slaves, put the chains on Okay, guys, put those chains on
an! her! her!
(Sklaven legen ihr Fesseln an.) (The slaves do so.) (The slaves do so)
Mein Haß soll dich verderben! My hate shall ruin you! My hatred shall destroy you!
Pamina Pamina: Pamina:

O laßt mich lieber sterben, Oh let me die instead, for Since no entreaties move you,
Weil nichts, Barbar, dich nothing, barbarian, can move May merciful death bear me
rühren kann! you! away!
(Sie sinkt ohnmächtig auf ein (She slumps unconscious onto a (She slumps unconscious onto a
Sofa.) sofa.) sofa.)

{Nun fort! }Laßt mich bei ihr Now go! Leave me alone with [1]Now go!
allein! her! [2]Get lost!
Leave me alone with her!
(Die Sklaven gehen ab. (Exeunt slaves. Papageno Exeunt slaves. Papageno
Papageno kommt.) enters, in an adjacent space.) enters, in an adjacent space.)
Papageno (von außen am Papageno (looking in a Papageno (looking in a

Fenster, ohne gleich gesehen zu window, so as not to be window, so as not to be
werden): observed.): observed.):
Wo bin ich wohl? Wo mag ich Where am I, anyway? Where do What is this place? Where
sein? I want to be? should I go?
Aha! da find' ich Leute. Aha! I spy people there. Aha! I see some people.
Gewagt, ich geh' hinein. Resolved: I’ll go in. Okay, I’m going in.
(Geht herein) (He goes in.) (He goes in.)
Schön Mädchen, jung und rein, Pretty girl, young and pure, What a looker...young and
Viel weißer noch als Kreide. Far whiter than chalk..... pure;
No snowdrift ever was whiter!
Monostatos und Papageno Monostatos and Papageno Monostatos and Papageno

(besehen sich - erschrecken (sighting each other, and (sighting each other, and
einer über den andern): becoming frightened) becoming frightened)
Hu! Hu! Aaagh!
Das ist der Teufel sicherlich! That is surely the devil! That’s got to be a fiend from
Hab' Mitleid! Verschone mich! Have mercy! Spare me! hell!
Hu, hu, hu! Hu, hu, hu! Have mercy! Oh, spare me!
Papageno:
I’d....
Monostatos:
...b est...
Papageno:
...get...
Monostatos:
...lost...
Papageno:
...and...
Papageno, Monostatos:
... fast!!
(Laufen beide ab.) (They dash off in opposite (They dash off in opposite
directions.) directions.)
Dialog Dialogue Dialogue
Pamina (spricht wie im Pamina(speaking as if in a Pamina(speaking as if in a

Traum): dream): dream):
Mutter - Mutter - Mutter! Mother-Mother-Mother! Mother-Mother-Mother!
(Sie erholt sich, sieht sich um) (She arises, looks around.) (She arises, looks around.)
Wie? Noch schlägt dieses What is this? My heart still What is this? My heart still
Herz? Zu neuen Qualen beats? Have I merely awakened beats? Have I awakened merely
erwacht? O das ist hart, sehr to face some new torture? Oh, to face some new torture? Oh,
hart! Mir bitterer, als der Tod. that is rough, very rough! This going on like this is worse than
is more bitter than death. death.
Papageno (tritt ein): Papageno (entering): Papageno (entering): Papageno (entering):

Bin ich nicht ein Narr, daß ich Am I not a fool to let myself be Am I not a fool to let myself be Am I not a fool to let myself
mich schrecken ließ? Es gibt scared like that? There are scared like that? There are be scared like that? There are
doch auch schwarze Vögel auf black birds in the world, so why black birds in the world, so why fierce-looking birds in the
der Welt, warum denn nicht not also black people?–Ah- not also black people?–Ah- world, so why not fierce-
auch schwarze Menschen? - there is the pretty young there is the pretty young looking people? (etc.)
Ah, da ist ja das schöne lady–You, daughter of the lady–You, daughter of the
Fräuleinbild noch. - Du Tochter Queen of the Night... Queen of the Night...
der nächtlichen
Königin -
Nächtlichen Königin? Wer bist Queen of the Night? Who are Queen of the Night? Who are
du? you? you?

E i n A b g e s a n d t e r d e r An emissary of the star-flaming Someone the star-flaming
sternflammenden Königin. queen. queen sent.
Pamina (freudig): Pamina (happily): Pamina (happily):

Meiner Mutter? O Wonne! - My mother? What joy!-- My mother? What happy
Dein Name? Your name? news!--
Your name?

Papageno. Papageno. Papageno.

Papageno? - Papageno - ich Papageno?--Papageno? It rings Papageno?--Papageno? It rings
erinnere mich, den Namen oft a bell, I have heard your name a bell, I have heard your name
gehört zu haben, dich selbst often, but I haven’t met you, often, but we’ve never actually
aber sah ich nie. myself. met.

Ich dich ebensowenig. I haven’t met you, either. I haven’t met you, either.

Du kennst also meine gute, Then you know my lovely, Then you know my lovely,
zärtliche Mutter? gentle mother? gentle mother?

Wenn du die Tochter der If you are the daughter of the If you are the daughter of the
nächtlichen Königin bist - ja! Queen of the Night, yes! Queen of the Night, yes!

O ich bin es. I am she. I am.

Das will ich gleich erkennen. I’ll verify that presently. I’ll check that out now.
(Er sieht das Portrait an.) (He examines the portrait.) (He examines the portrait.)
Die Augen schwarz - richtig, Eyes: black–OK , black. Eyes: black–OK , black.
schwarz. Die Lippen rot - Lips: red–OK, red. Lips: red–OK, red.
richtig, rot. Blonde Haare - Blonde hair–blonde hair. Blonde hair–blonde hair.
blonde Haare. Alles trifft ein, Everything matches, except the Everything matches, except the
bis auf Hände und Füße. Nach hands and feet. According to hands and feet. According to
dem Gemälde zu schließen, the painting, you should have the painting, you should have
sollst du weder Hände noch neither hands nor feet, for none neither hands nor feet, for none
Füße haben; denn hier sind are shown here. are shown here.
keine angezeigt.

Erlaube mir - Ja, ich bin's! Wie If I may see that–yes, that is a If I may see that–yes, that is a
kam es in deine Hände? picture of me! How did it come picture of me! How did you get
into your hands? it?

Ich muß dir das umständlicher I’ll have to explain that to you That’s a long story. I came to
erzählen. Ich kam heute früh, indirectly. I came to your your mother’s palace early this
wie gewöhnlich, zu deiner mother’s palace early this morning, as usual, with my
Mutter Palast mit meiner morning, as usual, with my supplies...
Lieferung - supplies...

Lieferung? Supplies? Supplies?

Ja, ich liefere deiner Mutter Yes, for many years I have Yes, for many years I have
schon seit vielen Jahren alle die supplied your mother with all supplied your mother with all
schönen Vögel in den Palast. the pretty birds in the palace. the pretty birds in the palace.
Ja, und eben, als ich im Anyway, as I was in the process Anyway, as I was bringing my
Begriffe war, meine Vögel of bringing my birds in to trade birds in to trade them, I saw a
abzugeben, da seh ich einen them, I saw a man before me man before me who called
Menschen vor mir, der sich who called himself a prince, himself a prince, and this prince
Prinz nennen läßt, und dieser and this prince so impressed so impressed your mother that
Prinz hat deine Mutter so von your mother that she gave him she gave him your portrait and
sich eingenommen, daß sie ihm your portrait and told him to told him to come set you free.
dein Bildnis schenkte und ihm come set you free. His decision His decision was as quick as his
befahl, dich zu befreien. Sein was as quick as his love for love for you.
Entschluß, der war ebenso you.
rasch, als seine Liebe zu dir.

Liebe? Love? Love?
(freudig) (joyfully) (joyfully)
Er liebt mich also? O. sage mir Then he loves me? Oh, say that Then he loves me? Oh, say that
das noch einmal, ich höre das again; that word ‘love’ sounds again; that word ‘love’ sounds
Wort Liebe gar zu gerne. just too good to my ears. just too good to my ears.

Das glaube ich dir. Bist ja auch I believe you. You are quite a I believe you. You are quite a
ein Fräuleinbild - Kurz also, girl–Anyway, his great love girl–Anyway, his great love
diese große Liebe zu dir war was the crack of the whip that was the crack of the whip that
der Peitschenstreich, um unsre brought our feet hurrying here, brought our feet hurrying here,
Füße im schnellen Gang zu and here we are, to tell you a and here we are, to tell you a
bringen, und nun sind wir hier, thousand beautiful and pleasant thousand beautiful and pleasant
dir tausend schöne und things. things.
angenehme Sachen zu sagen.

Freund, wenn Sarastro dich hier My friend, if Sarastro should My friend, if Sarastro should
erblicken sollte, dann - see you here, then... see you here, then...

So würde mir meine Rückreise Then I can forget about the trip Then I can forget about the trip
erspart blieben - das kann ich back–that’s what I figure. back–that’s what I figure.
mir denken.

Dein martervoller Tod würde There would be no limit to the I would not like to think about
ohne Grenzen sein. tortures you would face in the way you would die.
death.

Um diesem auszuweichen, gehn If we don’t want that to happen, If we don’t want that to happen,
wir lieber beizeiten. we’d better get moving! we’d better get moving!

Wir haben keine Minute zu We don’t have a minute to We don’t have a minute to
versäumen. waste. waste.

Ja, komm, du wirst Augen Yeah, come on, you’ll be Yeah, come on, just wait until
machen, wenn du den schönen making goggle eyes when you you set your eyes on this pretty
Jüngling erblickst. see this lovely young man. boy.
(Sie gehen, Pamina kehrt um) (They start to go. Pamina turns (They start to go. Pamina turns
around.) around.)

Aber wenn dies ein Fallstrick But what if this is a trap? What But what if this is a trap? What
wäre - wenn dieser nun ein if you are an evil spirit from if you are an evil spirit from
böser Geist von Sarastros Sarastro’s horde? Sarastro’s horde?
Gefolge wäre?
(Sieht ihn bedenklich an) (Looks at him doubtfully) (Looks at him doubtfully)

Was? Ich ein böser Geist? Wo Huh? Me? An evil spirit? Huh? Me? An evil spirit?
denkst du hin? Ich bin der beste Where do you get that idea? I Where are you coming from? I
Geist von der Welt. am the best spirit in the world. am the best spirit in the world.

Vergib, vergib, wenn ich dich Forgive me, forgive me if I Forgive me, forgive me if I
beleidigte! Du hast ein offended you. You have a warm offended you. You have a warm
gefühlvolles Herz. heart. heart.

Ja, freilich habe ich ein Yeah, sure, I have a warm Yeah, sure, I have a warm
gefühlvolles Herz! Aber was heart! And what good does that heart! And what good does that
nutzt mir denn das alles? - Ich do me? I’d often like to pluck do me? I’d often like to pluck
möcht' mir doch oft alle meine out all my feathers, when I out all my feathers, when I
Federn ausrupfen, wenn ich remember that Papageno still remember that Papageno still
bedenk', daß Papageno noch has no Papagena. has no Papagena.
keine Papagena hat.

Armer Mann! Du hast also Poor man! You still have no Poor man! You still have no
noch kein Weib? wife? wife?

Noch nicht einmal ein Never even a girlfriend, never Never even a girlfriend, never
Mädchen, geschweige denn mind a wife! Although, yours mind a wife! Although, yours
ein Weib! Und unsereiner hat truly has now and then had a truly has managed to find ways
eben auch so seine lustigen good time in certain places to amuse himself.
Stunden, wo man so richtig so where cultured people can
gesellschaftliche Unterhaltung amuse themselves.
haben möcht'.

Geduld, Freund! Der Himmel Patience, friend! Heaven will Patience, friend! Heaven will
wird auch für dich sorgen; er provide for you, too; it will provide for you, too; it will
wird dir eine Freundin send you a companion before happen sooner than you
schicken, ehe du dir's you suspect it. suspect.
vermutest.

Wenn er's nur bald schickte. If only heaven would only send If it would only happen now!
me one now!
7. Duett 7. Duet 7. Duet

Bei Männern, welche Liebe A good heart is not absent in A man embracing love’s
fühlen, men who feel love. surrender
Fehlt auch ein gutes Herze Must be a man of worthy heart.
nicht.

Die süßen Triebe mitzufühlen, A woman’s first duty is to Returning every glance he
Ist dann der Weiber erste empathize with the sweet sends her,
Pflicht. impulses. With joy, the woman plays her
part.
Beide: Both: Both:

Wir wollen uns der Liebe freun, We wish to be pleased with We yearn for love to bless our
{Wir leben durch die Lieb' love; we live through love lives.
allein.} alone. [1]Only by love do we survive;
[2]Only through love are we
alive.

Die Lieb' versüßet jede Plage, Love sweetens every All sorrow fades before its
Ihr opfert jede Kreatur. tribulation; every creature pays power;
homage to it. All creatures kneel before its
throne.

Sie würzet unsre Lebenstage, It makes the days of our lives It spices our every waking
Sie wirkt im Kreise der Natur. stimulating; it works wonders hour;
in the circle of nature. All life is whole through love
alone.
Beide: Both: Both:

Ihr hoher Zweck zeigt deutlich Its high purpose announces Its aim is high, its purpose
an, clearly that nothing is nobler grand.
{Nichts Edler's sei, als Weib than wife and man. [1]Nothing more noble graces
und Mann.} Man and wife, wife and man, our world,
Mann und Weib, und Weib und attain divinity. [2]Nothing is greater than wife
Mann and man.
Reichen an die Gottheit an. Wife and man, alight in love
Stride the stars with gods
above.
(Beide ab.) (Exeunt.) (Exeunt.)
________________________ ________________________ _______________________

Das Theater verwandelt sich in A grove of trees. In the A grove of trees. In the
ein en Ha i n . G a n z im background is a splendid background is a splendid
Hintergrunde der Bühne ist ein temple bearing the inscription, temple bearing the inscription,
schöner Tempel, worauf diese “Temple of Wisdom”. This “Temple of Wisdom”. This
Worte stehen: Tempel der temple is connected by temple is connected by
Weisheit. Dieser Tempel führt colonnades to two other colonnades to two other
mit Säulen zu zwei anderen temples. The right-hand one is temples. The right-hand one is
Tempeln, rechts auf dem einen inscribed “Temple of Reason”; inscribed “Temple of Reason”;
steht: Tempel der Vernuft. the left-hand one, “Temple of the left-hand one, “Temple of
Links steht: Tempel der Natur. Nature”. Nature”.
Drei Knaben führen Tamino Enter Tamino, led by the Three Enter Tamino, led by the Three
herein. Boys. Boys.
8. Finale 8. Finale 8. Finale
Drei Knaben: Three Boys: Three Boys:

Zum Ziele führt dich diese This way leads you to your Now you must triumph
Bahn, goal; now you, youth, must manfully;
Doch mußt du, Jüngling, achieve victory manfully. Consider, then, your quest’s
männlich siegen. Concerning that, pay attention beginning.
Drum höre unsre Lehre an: to our lesson: be steadfast, Remember well these things we
Sei standhaft, duldsam und patient, and silent! say:
verschwiegen! Be steadfast, patient, and be
silent!

Ihr holden Kleinen, sagt mir an, Fair small ones, tell me if I can O fair ones, tell me, can you see
Ob ich Pamina retten kann? save Pamina. If I may set Pamina free?

Dies kund zu tun, steht uns It is not for us to grant this That favor’s not for us to grant;
nicht an: favor. Be steadfast, patient, and Be steadfast, patient, and be
Sei standhaft, duldsam und silent! silent!
verschwiegen! Ponder this: in short, be a man! Just concentrate: act like a man;
Bedenke dies; kurz, sei ein Then, youth, you will win Yours then will be a manly
Mann, victory manfully. victory.
Dann, Jüngling, wirst du
männlich siegen.
(Gehen ab.) (Exit Three Boys) (Exit Three Boys)

Die Weisheitslehre dieser Let these boys’ lesson of Their simple wisdom I will
Knaben wisdom be forever engraved on cherish,
Sei ewig mir ins Herz gegraben. my heart. And in my heart it will not
Wo bin ich nun? Was wird mit Where am I now? What will perish.
mir? happen to me? Is this the seat of Where am I now? What’s going
Ist dies der Sitz der Götter hier? the gods here? The gates, the on?
Doch zeigen die Pforten, es columns, both show that Am I approaching heaven’s
zeigen die Säulen, intelligence, hard work, and art throne?
Daß Klugheit und Arbeit und abide here. Where industry The gates and the columns, the
Künste hier weilen. reigns supreme and uselessness splendor around me,
Wo Tätigkeit thronet und gives way, wickedness does not Show artistry, genius, and
Müßiggang weicht. easily retain its control. diligence dwell here.
Erhält seine Herrschaft das I will dare bravely to enter the Where industry is treasured and
Laster nicht leicht. gate; my purpose is noble and uselessness is banned,
Ich wage mich mutig zur Pforte pure. Tremble, cowardly The spectre of evil may not lift
hinein, villian! My duty is to rescue its hand.
Die Absicht ist edel und lauter Pamina. So now I must dare to go open
und rein. the door;
Erzitt're, feiger Bösewicht! My purpose is noble; my
Pamina retten ist mir Pflicht. motive is pure.
So tremble now, O evil one!
Pamina’s rescue has begun!
(Er geht an die Pforte zur (He goes to the right-hand gate He goes to the right-hand gate
rechten Seite, macht sie auf, and opens it; as he prepares to and opens it; as he prepares to
und als er enter, voices are heard from enter, voices are heard from
hinein will, hört man unfern inside.) inside.)
Stimmen)
Stimmen: Voices: Voices:

Zurück! Back! Get back!
Zurück? Zurück? So wag' ich Back? Back? I’ll try my luck Get back? Get back? I’ll try
hier mein Glück! here. another tack.
(Er geht zur linken Pforte. (He goes to the left-hand gate (He goes to the left-hand gate
Stimmen von innen.) and hears, as before, voices and hears, as before, voices
from inside.) from inside.)

Zurück! Back! Get back!

Auch hier ruft man: »Zurück!« Here, too, they say “Back!” Again I must retreat!
(Sieht sich um) (Looks around) (Looks around)
Da seh' ich noch eine Tür, I see one more door. Maybe I’ll There’s one I haven’t tried.
Vielleicht find' ich den Eingang find the entrance here. Perhaps this is the way inside.
hier.
(Er klopft an der mittleren (He knocks on the middle gate. (He knocks on the middle gate.
Pforte, der Sprecher erscheint.) The Speaker appears.) The Speaker appears.)
Der Sprecher: The Speaker: The Speaker:

Wo willst du , kü h n er Where do you want to go, bold Bold stranger, state your
Fremdling, hin? stranger? What do you seek business here: what brings you
Was suchst du hier im here in the sanctuary? to our holy place?
Heiligtum?

Der Lieb' und Tugend That which is due love and The just reward of love and
Eigentum. virtue. grace.

Die Worte sind von hohem Those are high-sounding Oh, those are pretty words
Sinn! words! How do you propose to indeed!
Allein wie willst du diese find this by your self? You are And how do you propose to
finden? not led by love and virtue, for find it?
Dich leitet Lieb' und Tugend death and vengeance inflame Not love nor grace has brought
nicht, you. you here.
Weil Tod und Rache dich Your manner reeks of death and
entzünden. vengeance!

Nur Rache für den Bösewicht. Only vengeance for the villain! But only for an evil one!

Den wirst du wohl bei uns nicht You won’t find him with us. Young man, there’s no such
finden. person here.

Sarastro herrscht in diesen Sarastro rules on these But is this not Sarastro’s
Gründen? premises? stronghold?

Ja, ja! Sarastro herrschet hier. Yes, yes! Sarastro rules here. Of course! He is our leader
here.

Doch in dem Weisheitstempel But not in the Temple of But in the temple? Surely not!
nicht? Wisdom?
Er herrscht im Weisheitstempel He rules here in the Temple of He rules in wisdom’s temple
hier! Wisdom. here.

So ist denn alles Heuchelei! Then this is all a sham! So this is nothing but a sham!
(will gehen) (starts to leave) (starts to leave)

Willst du schon wieder gehn? Then you want to leave again? So now you want to leave?

Ja, ich will gehen, froh und frei, Yes, I will go, happily and I’ll turn my back joyously
Nie euren Tempel seh'n! freely, and never see your On this deluded place!
temple again!

Erklär dich näher mir, Ex p l a i n yo u rself more You need to clarify; I do not
Dich täuschet ein Betrug. precisely. A deceit has misled think you see..
you.

Sarastro wohnet hier, Sarastro lives here; that is Sarastro rules this place; that’s
Das ist mir schon genug! enough for me! quite enough for me!

Wenn du dein Leben liebst, If you love your life, I say, stay If you value your life, then stay
So rede, bleibe da! there! You hate Sarastro? there! Tell me, now:
Sarastro hassest du? You hate Sarastro, then?

Ich haß ihn ewig, ja! I hate him forever, yes! Oh, yes, I always will!

Nun gib mir deine Gründe an. Now give me your reasons. So tell me what your reasons
are.

Er ist ein Unmensch, ein He is inhuman, a tyrant! He’s an inhuman, tyrant fiend!
Tyrann!

Ist das, was du gesagt, Is that which you say proven? And can you give me facts to
erwiesen? prove it?

Durch ein unglücklich Weib It is shown by an unhappy The fact of an unhappy woman,
bewiesen, woman, oppressed by sorrow Who weeps her days away in
Das Gram und Jammer and weeping. grief.
niederdrückt.
Der Sprecher: The Speaker: The Speaker: The Speaker:

Ein Weib hat also dich berückt? So a woman has tricked you? A And that’s the source of your That queen’s the source of this
Ein Weib tut wenig, plaudert woman does little, chatters a belief? belief?
viel. lot. You, boy, believed the play A woman idly chatters on. We know how she goes on
Du, Jüngling, glaubst dem of the tongue? Oh, if only You listened to that wagging and on.
Zungenspiel? Sarastro could explain to you tongue? You listened to that wagging
O legte doch Sarastro dir the reasons for his actions! If only our Sarastro could tongue?
Die Absicht seiner Handlung Explain to you the truth of this! If only our Sarastro could
für! Explain to you the truth of
this!
Die Absicht ist nur allzu klar! His intentions are all too clear! It’s all too plain what he
Riß nicht der Räuber ohn' Did the robber not, without intends!
Erbarmen, mercy, tear Pamina out of her Was Pamina not, without
Pamina aus der Mutter Armen? mother’s arms? compunction,
Torn cruelly from her mother’s
arms?

Ja, Jüngling, was du sagst, ist Yes, young man, what you say Young stranger, what you say is
wahr. is true. true.

Wo ist sie, die er uns geraubt? Where is she whom he stole Where is she, whom he stole
Man opferte vielleicht sie from us? She has not already away?
schon? been sacrificed, has she? Perhaps already sacrificed?

Dir dies zu sagen, teurer Sohn, I am not yet allowed to tell you That is a secret, dearest friend,
Ist jetztund mir noch nicht this, dear son. I may not yet reveal to you.
erlaubt.

Erklär dies Rätsel, täusch' mich Explain this riddle! Don’t fool Just tell me now what’s going
nicht! around with me! on!

Die Zunge bindet Eid und My tongue is bound by oath My oath, my duty bind my
Pflicht. and duty. tongue.

Wann also wird die Decke Then when will the shroud [of When can I ever understand
schwinden? confusion] disappear? this?

Sobald dich führt der As soon as friendship’s hand When brotherhood’s enduring
Freundschaft Hand leads you into the sanctuary to grace
In's Heiligtum zum ew'gen the eternal brotherhood. Shall lead you to the inmost
Band. place.
(Geht ab.) (Exit Speaker.) (Exit Speaker.) I like it when the Speakerexits
via a darkened, descending
Tamino (allein): Tamino (alone): Tamino (alone): flight of stairs, the door slowly
O ew'ge Nacht! Wann wirst du O eternal night! When will you O endless night! Must you closing after him.
schwinden? disappear? When will the light defeat me?
Wann wird das Licht mein find my eye? When will the morning ever
Auge finden? greet me?

Bald, Jüngling, oder nie! Soon, young man, or never! I think this scene particularly
Soon, pilgrim, if at all.
effective if the Voices sing
Tamino: Tamino: Tamino: from an elevated position such
Bald, sagt ihr, oder nie? Soon, you say, or never? You Soon, you say, if at all? as a concealed catwalk above
Ihr Unsichtbaren, saget mir, unseen ones, tell me, does You unseen voices, tell me the stage.
Lebt denn Pamina noch? Pamina still live? please,
Is she then still alive?

Pamina lebet noch! Pamina still lives! Pamina is alive!
Tamino (freudig): Tamino (joyfully): Tamino (joyfully):
Sie lebt! Ich danke euch dafür. She lives! I thank you for Alive! I thank you for that
[telling me] that. news.
(Er nimmt seine Flöte heraus) (He takes out his flute.) (He takes out his flute.)
O wenn ich doch imstande Oh, if I were only in a position, Oh, if I only had the power,
wäre, almighty ones, in your honor, Almighty ones, to truly thank
Allmächtige, zu eurer Ehre. to describe my thanks with you
Mit jedem Tone meinen Dank every note [I play], the way I Each note I play would ring the
Zu schildern, wie er {hier} feel it here! sky
entsprang. In gladness as it
[1]springs,
[2] springs
from my heart!
(Aufs Herz deutend. Er spielt, (He points to his heart. He (He points to his heart. He
sogleich kommen Tiere von plays; immediately, all manner plays; immediately, all manner
allen Arten hervor, ihm of animals appear to listen to of animals appear to listen to
zuzuhören. Er hört auf, und sie him. He stops, and the animals him. He stops, and the animals
fliehen. Die Vögel pfeifen disappear.The birds sing disappear.The birds sing
dazu.) along.) along.)
{Wie stark ist nicht dein How gentle is your magical [1]Shining flute, the lilt of your
Zauberton, tone, for, beautiful flute, by magic sound
Weil, holde Flöte, durch dein your playing the wild animals Melts ferocity asunder;
Spielen themselves feel joy. When the strains of your music O.T., S.T. syllabic mappings:
Selbst wilde Tiere Freude But Pamina, only Pamina is are all around, “Weil, holde”>”Your”;
fühlen.} still missing! Even animals delight and pause “Spielen”>”gentleness” (one
Doch Pamina, nur Pamina in wonder. note per syllable)
bleibt davon! [2]Your melody enfolds us with
its mild caress;
Your tone is the balm of
gentleness;
Shining flute, when your music
is all around,
Even animals delight and
pause........
But, but Pamina, but Pamina is
not here!
(Er spielt) (He plays.) (He plays.)
Pamina! Pamina! Höre, höre Pamina! Pamina! Hear me! Pamina! Pamina! Answer me!
mich! In vain! In vain!
Umsonst!
(Er spielt) (He plays.) (He plays.)
Wo? Ach, wo find' ich dich? Where, oh, where can I find Where, oh where can I find you
you? now?
(Er spielt, Papageno antwortet (He plays. Papageno answers (He plays. Papageno answers
von innen mit seinem from offstage with his pipe.) from offstage with his pipe.)
Flötchen.)
Ha, das ist Papagenos Ton! Ha, that is Papageno’s sound! There, I hear Papageno’s pipe!
(Er spielt. Papageno antwortet) (He plays. Papageno answers.) (He plays. Papageno answers.)
Vielleicht sah er Pamina schon, Maybe he has seen Pamina Perhaps he’s with Pamina now;
Vielleicht eilt sie mit ihm zu already; maybe she is hurrying Perhaps they’re hurrying to me;
mir! with him to me! Maybe the Perhaps that sound can be my
Vielleicht führt mich der Ton sound will lead me to her. guide!
zu ihr.
(Er eilt ab. Papageno und (He hurries off. Papageno and (He hurries off. Papageno and
Pamina eilen herbei.) Pamina rush past.) Pamina rush past.)
Pamina, Papageno: Pamina, Papageno: Pamina, Papageno:

Schnelle Füße, rascher Mut Fast feet and quick courage Quick and daring on our path, O.T, S.T. syllabic mapping:
Schützt vor Feindes List und protect from the enemy’s We escape our enemy’s wrath. ‘List und’ > ‘[e]nemy’s
Wut. cunning and wrath. We had We had better find Tamino,
Fänden wir Tamino doch, better find Tamino, or they will Or they’ll capture us for sure.
Sonst erwischen sie uns noch. catch us soon.

Holder Jüngling! Fair youth! Fair Tamino!

Stille, stille, stille, stille, ich Quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet, I can Quiet, quiet, quiet, I can do it
kann's besser! do it better! better!
(Pfeift. Tamino antwortet mit (He blows on his pipes; Tamino (Blows on his pipes; Tamino
seiner Flöte.) answers with his flute.) answers with his flute.)
Beide: Both: Both:

Welche Freude ist wohl größer? What joy is truly greater? Our Oh, what happiness is greater?
Freund Tamino hört uns schon; friend Tamino hears us already; Now Tamino hears our call.
Hierher kam der Flötenton. the flute’s sound came from And we heard him over there.
Welch ein Glück, wenn ich ihn over there. What joy, when I Oh, how glad we’ll be to see
finde. find him. Now quickly! Now him.
Nur geschwinde! Nur quickly! Better hustle! Better hustle!
geschwinde!
( W o l l e n h i n e i n g e h e n . (They attempt to move on. (They attempt to move on.

Monostatos tritt auf.) Enter Monostatos.) Enter Monostatos.)
Monostatos (ihrer spottend): Monostatos (mocking them): Monostatos (mocking them): O.T., S.T. syllabic mapping:
Nu r geschwinde! Nur Now quickly! Now quickly! Better hustle! Better hustle! ‘hab’ ich noch’>’I have’
geschwinde! Ha, have I caught you now? Ha! I have caught you now!
Ha, hab' ich euch noch Bring me chains, I’ll do the
erwischt? Now come here with steel and honors;
Nur herbei mit Stahl und Eisen; iron; Now it’s time to teach you
Wart', ich will euch Mores Wait; I will teach you manners. manners.
weisen. You thought you could enchant Sneaking round like thieving
Den Monostatos berücken! Monostatos! jackals!
Nur herbei mit Band und Now bring fetters and ropes! Bring me irons, bring me
Stricken, Hey, slaves, come here! shackles!
He, ihr Sklaven, kommt herbei! Hey, you loafers, bring them
here!
(Sklaven kommen, mit Fesseln.) (Enter slaves with shackles.) (Enter slaves with shackles.)

Ach, nun ist's mit uns vorbei! Now we’re done for! Now the game is up for sure!
He, ihr Sklaven, kommt herbei! Hey, slaves, come here! Hey, you slaves, I need them
here!

{Wer viel wagt,} gewinnt oft He who ventures much, often [1]What to do...
viel! wins much! Come, you pretty [2] What the heck,
Komm, du schönes glockenspiel, let the little bells [3] Might as well
Glockenspiel, ring, ring, so that their ears may give this a try!
Laß die Glöckchen klingen, sing to them. Little bells, now do your thing;
klingen, Set the air around us ringing;
Daß die Ohren ihnen singen. Send these nasty rascals
slinking.
(Er spielt a u f sein em (He plays on his glockenspiel. (He plays on his glockenspiel.
Glockenspiel. Sogleich tanzen Immediately, Monostatos and Immediately, Monostatos and
und singen Monostatos und die the slaves start dancing and the slaves start dancing and
Sklaven.) singing.) singing.)
(Ritornell) (Ritornello) (Ritornello)
Monostatos, Sklaven: Monostatos, Slaves: Monostatos, Slaves:

Das klinget so herrlich, That sounds so glorious, that Such exquisite music! Oh, how
Das klinget so schön! sounds so beautiful! can this be?
Larala la la larala la la larala! Larala la la larala la la larala! Larala la la larala la la larala!
Nie hab' ich so etwas I have never seen nor heard I’ve never had anything do this
Gehört und geseh'n! anything like that! to me!
Larala la la larala la la larala! Larala la la larala la la larala! Larala la la larala la la larala!
(Sie gehen tanzend ab) (Exeunt, dancing) (Exeunt, dancing)

Könnte jeder brave Mann If only every good man could If good men had these to play,
Solche Glöckchen finden! find such little bells! His What a world we’d live in!
Seine Feinde würden dann enemies would then go away Enemies would go away,
Ohne Mühe schwinden, without any bother, and he Effortlessly driven.
Und er lebte ohne sie would live without them in the We could live without a foe;
In der besten Harmonie! best of harmony! Only the Harmony would thrive and
Nur der Freundschaft Harmonie harmony of friendship mitigates grow!
Mildert die Beschwerden; hardships; without this feeling, Only friendship’s harmony
Ohne diese Sympathie there is no happiness on the Comforts us in trouble;
Ist kein Glück auf Erden. earth. Otherwise the earth would be
Desolate as rubble.
(Ein starker Marsch mit (A march with trumpets and (A march with trumpets and
Trompeten und Pauken fällt drums begins offstage.) drums begins offstage.)
ein)
Chor (von innen): Chorus (offstage): Chorus (offstage):

Es lebe Sarastro! Sarastro lebe! Long live Sarastro! Viva All hail to Sarastro! His truth is
Sarastro! our power!

Was soll das bedeuten? Ich What’s that supposed to mean? Oh, what’s going to happen? I
zittre, ich bebe! I’m trembling, I’m shaking! tremble and cower!

O Freund, nun ist's um uns O friend, the game is up for us: My friend, there’s no more
getan, this announces Sarastro’s hope for us: Sarastro is
Dies kündigt den Sarastro an! arrival! arriving now!
O wär ich eine Maus, Oh, if I were a mouse, how I wish I were a mouse–
Wie wollt' ich mich verstecken! would I hide myself? If I were I’d scurry into hiding;
Wär ich so klein wie as small as a snail, I would Or like a sea-snail, gliding,
Schnecken, creep into my house! My child, I’d creep into my house.
So kröch' ich in mein Haus! what will we say now? My child, what will we tell
Mein Kind, was werden wir them this time?
nun sprechen?

Die Wahrheit! Die Wahrheit, The truth! The truth, even if it’s The truth! The truth, even if it’s O.T., S.T. syllabic mappings:
Sei sie auch Verbrechen. a crime. a crime! ‘Wahrheit’>’truth’;
‘Sei’>’even’
(Zug von Gefolge; zuletzt fährt (Enter a procession of priests; (Enter a procession of priests;
Sarastro auf einem at the rear rides Sarastro in a at the rear rides Sarastro in a
Triumphwagen heraus, der von triumphal wagon drawn by six triumphal wagon drawn by six
sechs Löwen gezogen wird.) lions.) lions.)
Chor: Chorus of Priests: Chorus of Priests:

Es lebe Sarastro! Sarastro soll Long live Sarastro! Viva All hail to Sarastro! In him all
leben! Sarastro! He is the one to rejoices!
Er ist es, dem wir uns mit whom we are devoted with joy! In joy and devotion we lift up
Freuden ergeben! He happily wishes to enjoy life our voices!
Stets mög' er des Lebens als as a wise one; he is our idol, to Serenely he shows us the way
Weiser sich freun, whom all consecrate of the wise;
Er ist unser Abgott, dem alle themselves. To his consecration we lift up
sich weihn. our eyes.
Pamina (kniet): Pamina (kneels): Pamina (kneels):

Herr, ich bin zwar Lord, I am in fact a culprit–I Sir, I confess my guilt to you:
Verbrecherin, wished to flee your might. The This hour, I tried to flee your
Ich wollte deiner Macht fault does not lie with me alone. might.
entfliehn, The wicked Moor demanded But sire, I beg you, understand:
Allein die Schuld ist nicht an love; for that reason, my lord, I I had to flee to guard my
mir - fled you. honor:
Der böse Mohr verlangte Liebe; The wicked Moor demanded
Darum, o Herr, entfloh ich dir. love.
Sarastro: Sarastro: Sarastro:

Steh auf, erheitre dich, o Liebe! Arise, cheer yourself up, O Arise, my lovely child, don’t
Denn ohne erst in dich zu lovely one! For without even worry;
dringen, looking into your being, I know I hardly even need to ask you;
Weiß ich von deinem Herzen more about your heart: you are I know the secret in your heart:
mehr: very much in love with another. You love
Du liebest {einen andern sehr.} I will not compel you to love, [1] another very much.
Zur Liebe will ich dich nicht but I will not yet give you [2]Yes, I know this, too.
zwingen, freedom. It’s not for me to force
Doch geb' ich dir die Freiheit affection,
nicht. But it’s not time to set you free.

Mich rufet ja die Kindespflicht, I am torn by filial duty, for my Still, as a daughter, I feel my
Denn meine Mutter - mother– duty, because my mother....

Steht in meiner Macht. Stands in my power. You Is within my power!
Du würdest um dein Glück would be robbed of your You’d forfeit every joyous hour
gebracht, happiness if I left you in her If I consigned you to her
Wenn ich dich ihren Händen hands. keeping.
ließe.
Mir klingt der Muttername My mother’s name sounds Her name rings out to me so
süße; sweet to me; sweetly;
{Sie ist es} - she is it [my mother]– [1]For she is
[2] My mother...
Sarastro: Sarastro: Sarastro: Sarastro:

Und ein stolzes Weib! And a proud woman! A man {And a haughty dame! And a haughty dame!
Ein Mann muß eure Herzen must lead your heart; for A woman needs a man to guide She needs to learn to be more
leiten, without him, every woman her; humble;
Denn ohne ihn pflegt jedes tends to wander out of her Without this, every woman If she cannot, she dooms
Weib proper domain. tends herself
Aus ihrem Wirkungskreis zu To lose her sense of place and To blunder through the dark
schreiten. wander.} and stumble.
(Monostatos führt Tamino (Monostatos brings Tamino in.) (Monostatos brings Tamino in.)
herein.)

Nun stolzer Jüngling, nur Now, cocky boy, come here! OK, you cocky boy, come here!
hierher! Here is Sarastro, our lord. Behold Sarastro, and beware!
Hier ist Sarastro, unser Herr.
Pamina (sieht Tamino): Pamina (seeing Tamino): Pamina (seeing Tamino):

Er ist's! There he is! It’s he!
Tamino (sieht Pamina): Tamino (seeing Pamina): Tamino (seeing Pamina):

Sie ist's! There she is! It’s she!

Ich glaub' es kaum! I hardly believe it! It’s really true!

Sie ist's! There she is! There she is!

Er ist's! There he is! There he is!

Es ist kein Traum! It is no dream! It’s really you!

Es schling' mein Arm sich um My arms entwine themselves So I’ll embrace you now, right
ihn her! around him! here!

Es schling' mein Arm sich um My arms entwine themselves So I’ll embrace you now, right
sie her! around her! here!
Beide: Both: Both:

Und wenn es auch mein Ende Even if it is the end of me! And if it kills me, I don’t care!
wär!
(Sie umarmen sich.) (They embrace.) (They embrace.)
Alle Andere: All others: All others:

Was soll das heißen? What is the meaning of this? What’s going on here?

Welch eine Dreistigkeit! What ch u tzp ah! Apart, What brazen insolence!
Gleich auseinander! Das geht immediately! This goes too far! Apart, right now! This goes too
zu weit! far!
(Er trennt sie; kniet dann vor (He forcibly separates them, He forcibly separates them, and
Sarastro nieder.) and then kneels before then kneels before Sarastro.)
Sarastro.)
Dein Sklave liegt zu deinen Your slave lies at your feet. Let Your slave kneels humbly here
Füßen, the cheeky sinner pay for that. before you.
Laß den verwegnen Frevler Look how brazen the boy is: he Let there be justice, I implore
büßen! was going to make off with you.
Bedenk, wie frech der Knabe Pamina through the cunning of Observe the brashness of this
ist: this rare bird. I was the only boy:
Durch dieses seltnen Vogels one who knew how to sniff him With this rare bird, his clever
List out. You know me! My ploy
Wollt er Pamina dir entführen. vigilance— Would have allowed him to
A l l e i n i c h wu ß t ' i h n abduct her.
auszuspüren. But I, alone, was not a sucker.
Du kennst mich! Meine You know me! My keen
Wachsamkeit- vigilance...

Verdient, daß man ihr Lorbeer Has earned you laurels! Hey, Has earned you laurels! Your
streut! give this honored man at once... reward...
He, gebt dem Ehrenmann Hey, give this hero seventy- O.T., S.T. syllabic mapping:
sogleich - seven.... “[so]gleich”>”seven”

Schon deine Gnade macht mich Your favor already makes me When in your grace, I dwell in
reich. rich. heaven.

Nu r sieben u n d sieb en zig Only seventy-seven lashes on ...Strokes on the bottom of his
Sohlenstreich! the soles of his feet! feet!

{Ach Herr,} den Lohn verhofft' Oh lord, I had not hoped for [1]O sire,
ich nicht! such a reward! [2]such great
reward
is more than just!

Nicht Dank, es ist ja meine Don’t thank me, it is my duty! Don’t thank me; I do what I
Pflicht! must!
(Monostatos wird abgeführt) (Monostatos is led away.) (Monostatos is led away.)
Alle: All: All:

Es lebe Sarastro, der göttliche Long live Sarastro, divinely All hail to Sarastro,whose
Weise! wise! He rewards and punishes wisdom rings clearly!
Er lohnet und strafet in with similar standards. He praises and disciplines
ähnlichem Kreise. equally fairly.

Führt diese beiden Fremdlinge Bring these two newcomers So take both of these
In unsern Prüfungstempel ein; into our temple of trials; then newcomers
Bedecket ihre Häupter dann, cover their heads. They must Into the temple where they’re
Sie müssen erst gereinigt sein. first be purified. tried;
Then place the covers on their
heads,
For they must first be purified.
(Der Sprecher und zwei (The Speaker and two other (The Speaker and two other
Priester bringen eine Art Sack priests produce two sacks and priests produce two sacks and
und bedecken cover the heads of Tamino and cover the heads of Tamino and
die Häupter der beiden Papageno.) Papageno.)
Fremden)
Schlußchor (alle): Final Chorus (all): Final Chorus (all):

Wenn Tugend und When virtue and righteousness When virtue and righteousness O.T., S.T. syllabic mapping:
Gerechtigkeit have paved the great way with Become the stones that pave “und Ge[rechtigkeit]“ >
Den großen Pfad mit Ruhm glory, then the earth will be a our road, “and”
bestreut, heavenly kingdom, and mortals Heaven shall rule upon the
{Dann ist die Erd' ein will be as the gods. earth
Himmelreich,} And mortal men shall live as
Und Sterbliche den Göttern gods.
gleich.
Zweiter Aufzug Second Act Second Act
Das Theater ist ein A palm forest. All the trees A palm forest. All the trees
Palmenwald, alle Bäume sind have a sheen like silver, with have a sheen like silver, with
silberartig,die Blätter von golden fronds.There are 18 golden fronds.There are 18
Gold, 18 Sitze von Blättern. Auf seats made out of these fronds. seats made out of these fronds.
einem jeden Sitze steht eine On each is a pyramid and a On each is a pyramid and a
Pyramide und ein großes, large black horn trimmed with large black horn trimmed with
schwarzes Horn mit Gold gold. The largest trees, and the gold. The largest trees, and the
gefaßt. In der Mitte die größte largest pyramid, are in the largest pyramid, are in the
Pyramide, auch die größten center. center.
Bäume.
(Sarastro nebst anderen (Sarastro,and the other priests (Sarastro,and the other priests
Priestern kommen in feierlichen enter with solemn strides, each enter with solemn strides, each
Schritten, jeder mit einem carrying a palm frond. A march carrying a palm frond. A march
Palmenzweig in der Hand. Ein w i t h w in d instrum e n t s w i t h w i n d instrument s
Marsch mit accompanies the procession.) accompanies the procession.)
Blasinstrumenten begleitet den
Zug.)
(9. Marsch der Priester) (9. March of the Priests) (9. March of the Priests)
Dialog. Dialogue. Dialogue.
Sarastro (nach einer Pause): Sarastro (after a pause): Sarastro (after a pause):
Ihr, in dem Weisheitstempel Servants of the great gods Isis Servants of the great gods Isis
eingeweihten Diener der großen and Osiris, and initiates of the and Osiris, and initiates of the
Götter Osiris und Isis! Mit Temple of Wisdom! I tell you Temple of Wisdom! I tell you
reiner Seele erklär' ich euch, today without any doubt that today without any doubt that
daß unsre heutige our gathering today is one of our gathering today is one of
V ersammlu n g ein e d er the most important of our time. the most important of our time.
wichtigsten unsrer Zeit ist. Tamino, the son of a king, came Tamino, the son of a king, came
Tamino, ein Königssohn, to the north gate of our temple; to the north gate of our temple;
wandelte an der nördlichen he wishes to tear the veil of he wishes to tear the veil of
Pforte unsers Tempels; will night from himself so he, too, night from himself so he, too,
seinen nächtlichen Schleier von may gaze into the sanctuary of may gaze into the sanctuary of
sich reißen und ins Heiligtum that greatest light. that greatest light.
des größten Lichtes blicken. To watch over this To watch over this
Diesen Tugendhaften zu virtuous young man, to offer virtuous young man, to offer
b e wa c h t en , i h m him our hand in friendship, is him our hand in friendship, is
freundschaftlich die Hand zu today our most important duty. today our most important duty.
bieten, sei heute eine unsrer
wichtigsten Pflichten.
Erster Priester (steht auf): First Priest (rises): First Priest (rises):
Er besitzt Tugend? He has virtue? Is he virtuous?

Tugend! Virtue! Virtuous!
Zweiter Priester: Second Priest: Second Priest:

Auch Verschwiegenheit? And taciturnity? And reserved?

Verschwiegenheit! Taciturnity! Reserved!
Dritter Priester: Third Priest: Third Priest:

Ist wohltätig? Is he generous? And generous?

Wohltätig! Haltet ihr ihn für Generous! If you find him He is! If you find him worthy,
würdig, so folgt meinem worthy, follow my example; follow my example;
Beispiele; vollziehe dein fulfill your holy office. fulfill your holy office.
heiliges Amt.
(Sie blasen dreimal in die (The horns sound three times.) (The horns sound three times.)
Hörner.)
Gerührt über die Einigkeit eurer Moved by the unity of your Moved by the unity of your
Herzen, dankt Sarastro hearts, Sarastro thanks you in hearts, Sarastro thanks you in
eu ch im Namen der the name of mankind. May we, the name of mankind. May we,
Menschheit. Mag immer das the initiated, always stand free the initiated, always stand free
Vorurteil seinen Tadel über uns of the shame of prejudice! of the shame of prejudice!
Eingeweihte auslassen! Jedoch, However, this wicked prejudice However, this wicked prejudice
das böse Vorurteil shall pass away. It shall pass shall pass away. It shall pass
soll schwinden; und es wird away at the very moment when away at the very moment when
schwinden, sobald Tamino Tamino himself comes into Tamino himself comes into
selbst die Größe unserer possession, into mastery, of the possession, into mastery, of the
schweren Kunst besitzen wird. full grandeur of our difficult full grandeur of our difficult
Pamina haben die Götter dem way. way.
holden Jüngling bestimmt; dies The gods have chosen The gods have chosen
ist der Grund, warum ich sie Pamina for the noble youth; Pamina for the noble youth;
der stolzen Mutter entriß. Das this is the reason I tore her this is the reason I tore her
Weib dünkt sich groß zu sein; away from her proud mother. away from her proud mother.
hofft durch Blendwerk und That woman believes herself That woman believes herself
Aberglauben das Volk zu great, and hopes to enchant the great, and hopes to enchant the
berücken und unsern festen people through illusion and people through illusion and
Tempelbau zu zerstören. Allein, superstition, and so to destroy superstition, and so to destroy
das soll sie nicht. Tamino, der our steadfast temple, our our steadfast temple, our
holde Jüngling, soll ihn mit uns brotherhood. However, she brotherhood. However, she
befestigen und als Eingeweihter shall not. Tamino, the fair shall not. Tamino, the fair
der Tugend Lohn, dem Laster young man, will tie his destiny young man, will tie his destiny
aber Strafe sein. with ours, and as one of the with ours, and as one of the
initiated, shall reap the rewards initiated, shall reap the rewards
of virtue, instead of suffering of virtue, instead of suffering
the punishment for wickedness. the punishment for wickedness.
(Der dreimalige Akkord in den (The Threefold Chord is (The Threefold Chord is
Hörnern wird von allen repeated by all the horns.) repeated by all the horns.)
wiederholt.)
Sprecher: The Speaker: The Speaker:

Großer Sarastro, wird Tamino Great Sarastro, will Tamino Great Sarastro, will Tamino
auch die harten Prüfungen, be able to face the severe trials be able to face the severe trials
die seiner warten, bekämpfen? awaiting him? Excuse me for awaiting him? Excuse me for
- Verzeih, daß ich so frei bin, being so open with my doubts! being so open with my doubts!
dir meinen Zweifel zu eröffnen! I am afraid for the boy. He is a I am afraid for the boy. He is a
Mich bangt es um den Jüngling prince! prince!
- Er ist Prinz!

Noch mehr! Er ist Mensch! And more! He is human! And more! He is human!

Wenn es nur aber in seiner And if he, in the early And if, in the prime of his
frühen Jugend leblos erblaßte? flowering of his youth, is youth, he is brought, white and
brought, white and lifeless, lifeless, before our eyes?
before our eyes?

Dann ist er Osiris und Isis Then he is given to Osiris and Then he is given to Osiris and
gegeben und wird der Götter Isis, and his will be the gods’ Isis, and his will be heaven’s
Freuden früher fühlen als wir. joy sooner than it will be ours. joy sooner than it will be ours.
(Der dreimalige Akkord wird (The Threefold Chord is (The Threefold Chord is
wiederholt) repeated.) repeated.)
Man führe Tamino mit seinem Let Tamino be brought into the Let Tamino be brought into the
Reisegefährten in den Vorhof temple antechamber with his temple antechamber with his
des Tempels ein; und du, traveling companion; and you, traveling companion; and you,
vollziehe dein heiliges Amt: fulfill your holy office: teach fulfill your holy office: teach
lehre sie beide die Macht der them to recognize the might of them to know the might of the
Götter erkennen. the gods. gods.
10. Arie mit Chor 10. Aria with Chorus 10. Aria with Chorus

O Isis und Osiris, schenket Oh, Isis and Osiris, bestow the O Isis and Osiris, grant us
Der Weisheit Geist dem neuen spirit of wisdom upon the new That wisdom’s spirit guide this
Paar! pair! Guide them to you with pair.
Die ihr der Wand'rer Schritte the steps of the wanderer; Lead them to you with
lenket. strengthen them with patience pilgrims’ footsteps.
Stärkt mit Geduld sie in Gefahr. in the face of danger. Grant that their patience may
endure.
Chor: Chorus: Chorus:

Stärkt mit Geduld sie in Gefahr! Strengthen them with patience Grant that their patience may
in the face of danger! endure.

Laßt sie der Prüfung Früchte Let them see the fruits of their Grant that their fortitude may S.T.: omission of ‘may’ is
sehen; trials; but should the reward of sustain them; permissible here but that
Doch sollten sie zur Grabe virtue’s bold way be, instead, But if, instead, the grave must \requires a short melisma on
gehen, that they go to the grave, take claim them, ‘for-“
So lohnt der Tugend kühnen them up into your abode. Lead them with mercy up from
Lauf, that night;
Nehmt sie in euren Wohnsitz Lift them to dwell with you in
auf. light.
Chor: Chorus: Chorus:
Nehmt sie in euren Wohnsitz Take them up into your abode. Lift them to dwell with you in S.T.:“Raise’ is marginally
auf. light. more singable than ‘Lift’ here
but sacrifices a lot of
(Sarastro geht voraus, dann (Exeunt Sarastro, then the (Exeunt Sarastro, then the alliteration, so it was an
alle ihm nach - ab.) others after him.) others after him.) inferior choice for me.
________________________ ________________________
Nacht. Der Donner rollt von Night. Thunder rolls in the Night. Thunder rolls in the
weitem. Das Theater distance. A small temple distance. A small temple
verwandelt sich in einen kurzen vestibule, from which ruins of vestibule, from which ruins of
Vorhof des Tempels, wo man fallen columns and pyramids fallen columns and pyramids
Reste von eingefallenen Säulen are visible, many with thorn- are visible, many with thorn-
und Pyramiden sieht, nebst bushes next to them. On both bushes next to them. On both
einigen Dornbüschen. An sides are tall, old-Egyptian- sides are tall, old-Egyptian-
beiden Seiten stehen style doors giving access to style doors giving access to
praktikable hohe, altägyptische additional wings on the side. additional wings on the side.
Türen,welche mehr
Seitengebäude vorstellen.
(Tamino und Papageno (Tamino and Papageno are led (Tamino and Papageno are led
werden vom Sprecher und dem in by the Speaker and other in by the Speaker and other
andern Priester hereingeführt. priests.The priests remove the priests.The priests remove the
Die Priester lösen ihnen die sacks from their heads and sacks from their heads and
Säcke ab und entfernen sich leave with them.) leave with them.)
damit.)

Eine schreckliche Nacht! - A terrible night!-- What a terrible night!--
Papageno, bist du noch bei Papageno, are you still with Papageno, are you still here?
mir? me?

Ja, freilich! Of course! Of course!

Wo denkst du, daß wir uns nun Where do you think we are Where do you think we are
befinden? now? now?

Wo? Ja, wenn's nicht so finster Where? If it weren’t so dark, Where? If it weren’t so dark,
wär, wollt' ich dir das schon maybe I could tell you, but, maybe I could tell you, but,
sagen, aber so... Oh! Oh! Oh!
(Donnerschlag.) (Clap of thunder.) (Clap of thunder.)
O weh! Oh no! Oh no!

Was ist's? What’s the matter? What’s the matter?

Mir wird nicht wohl bei der I’m not feeling too well right I’m not feeling too well right
Sache! Ich glaube, ich now. I think I’m getting a bit now. I think I’ve got a bit of a
bekomme ein kleines Fieber. of a fever. fever.
Pfui, Papageno! Sei ein Mann! Come on, Papageno! Be a man! Come on, Papageno! Act like a
man!

Aber ich wollt', ich wär ein If I had any choice now, I’d If I had any choice now, I’d
Mädchen! rather be a girl! rather be a girl!
(Ein sehr s t a r k e r (Very loud clap of thunder.) (Very loud clap of thunder.)
Donnerschlag.)
O! o! o! Das ist mein letzter Oh, oh, oh! This is my final Oh, oh, oh! I’m about to die!
Augenblick! moment!
(Der Sprecher und der Zweite (The Speaker and the Second (The Speaker and the Second
Priester erscheinen mit Priest appear with torches.) Priest appear with torches.)
Fackeln.)

Ihr Fremdlinge, was sucht oder Newcomers, what do you seek Newcomers, what do you seek
fordert ihr von uns? Was treibt or ask of us? What brings you or ask of us? What brings you
euch an, in unsere Mauern zu within our walls? to our temple?
dringen?

Freundschaft und Liebe. Friendship and love. Friendship and love.

Bist du bereit, sie mit deinem Are you ready to place your life Are you ready to place your life
Leben zu erkämpfen? on the line for them? on the line for them?

Ja! Yes! Yes!

Prinz, noch ist's Zeit zu Prince, it is time to make your Prince, this is your last chance
weichen - einen Schritt weiter, decision–one step more, and it to turn back–one step more, and
und es ist zu spät. shall be too late [to turn back]. it shall be too late.

Weisheitslehre sei mein Sieg; Let the lesson of wisdom be my Let the lesson of wisdom be my
Pamina, das holde Mädchen, victory; let Pamina, the fair victory; let Pamina, the fair
mein Lohn! maiden, be my reward! maiden, be my reward!

Du unterziehst dich jeder You will undergo every trial? You will face every trial
Prüfung dich? willingly?

Jeder! Every one! Every one!

Reiche deine Hand mir! Give me your hand! Give me your hand!
(Sie reichen sich die Hände) (They join hands.) (They join hands.)
Z w e i t e r P r i e s t e r ( z u Second Priest (to Papageno): Second Priest (to Papageno):

Papageno): Do you want to fight to attain So, will you fight to attain the
W i l l s t a u c h d u d i r the love of wisdom, too? love of wisdom, too?
Weisheitsliebe erkämpfen?
Kämpfen ist meine Sache nicht. Fighting’s not my thing. I really Fighting’s not my thing. I really
Ich verlang ja im Grunde auch don’t demand any wisdom. I’m don’t demand any wisdom. I’m
gar keine Weisheit. Ich bin so a child of nature, content with a child of nature, content with
ein Naturmensch, der sich mit sleep, food and drink. And if it sleep, food and drink. And if it
Schlaf, Speise und Trank would be possible, sometime, would be possible, sometime,
zufriedengibt. Und wenn es for me to snag a pretty little for me to snag a pretty little
einmal sein könnte, daß ich mir wife.... wife....
ein hübsches Weibchen fange...

Die wirst du nie erhalten, wenn That you will never get if you That will never happen if you
du dich nicht unseren do not undertake our trials. do not undertake our trials.
Prüfungen unterziehst.

Und worin bestehen diese And what do these trials consist And these trials are...?
Prüfungen? of?

Dich allen unseren Gesetzen zu To subject yourself to all our To subject yourself to all our
unterwerfen, selbst den Tod laws; nor to shy away from laws; nor to shy away from
nicht zu scheuen. death itself! death itself!

Ich bleibe ledig! I’ll stay single! I’ll stay single!

Aber wenn du dir ein But what if you could win a But what if you could win a
tugenhaftes, schönes Mädchen pretty, virtuous girl? pretty, virtuous girl?
erwerben könntest?

Ich bleibe ledig! I’ll stay single! I’ll stay single!

Wenn nun aber Sarastro dir ein But what if Sarastro were But what if Sarastro were
Mädchen aufbewahrt hätte, das keeping a young lady for you keeping a young lady for you
an Farbe und Kleidung dir ganz who had coloration and clothes who had coloration and clothes
gleich wäre? just like yours? just like yours?

Mir ganz gleich? Ist sie jung? Just like mine? Is she young? Just like mine? Is she young?

Jung und schön! Young and pretty! Young and pretty!

Und heißt? And her name is? And her name is?

Papagena. Papagena. Papagena.

Wie? Papa- What’s that? Papa– What’s that? Papa–

Papagena. Papagena. Papagena.

Papagena? - Haha, die möcht Papagena? Haha, I’d like to see Papagena? I guess, I’d like to
ich aus bloßer Neugierde her, just out of simple curiosity. see her, just out of curiosity.
schon sehen.

Sehen kannst du sie! You may see her. You may see her.

Aber wenn ich sie gesehen But when I‘ve seen her, then do But when I‘ve seen her, then do
habe, hernach muß ich sterben? I have to die? I have to die?

Hmmmmmm... Hmmmmmmmm... Hmmmmmmmm...
(Macht eine zweideutige (Performs a suggestive (Performs a suggestive

Pantomime.) pantomime.) pantomime.)

- Ich bleibe ledig! –I’ll stay single! –I’ll stay single!

Sehen kannst du sie, aber bis You may see her, but, until the You may see her, but, until the
zur verlaufenen Zeit kein Wort appointed time, you may not appointed time, you may not
mit ihr sprechen; wird dein say a word to her; will your say a word to her; will you be
Geist so viel Standhaftigkeit soul be steadfast enough to strong enough to keep your
besitzen, deine Zunge in keep your tongue in your tongue in your mouth?
Schranken zu halten? mouth?

O ja! Oh, yes! No problem!

Deine Hand! Du sollst sie Give me your hand! You shall Give me your hand! You shall
sehen. see her. see her.
Sprecher (zu Tamino): The Speaker (to Tamino): The Speaker (to Tamino):
Auch dir, Prinz, legen die Upon you, too, the gods impose On you, too, the gods impose a
Götter ein heilsames a healing order of absolute healing order of absolute
Stillschweigen auf; ohne dieses silence; without this, both of silence; without this, both of
seid ihr beide verloren. Du you are lost. You will see you are lost. You will see
wirst Pamina sehen, aber nie sie Pamina, but never be allowed Pamina, but never be allowed
sprechen dürfen; dies ist der to speak to her. This is the to speak to her. This is the
Anfang eurer Prüfungszeit. beginning of your time of trials. beginning of your trials.
11. Duett 11. Duet 11. Duet
Beide Priester: Both Priests: Both Priests: Both Priests:

Bewahret euch vor Protect yourself from the {You must beware the You must beware the lure of
Weibertücken: treachery of women; this is the treachery of women;} temptation;
Dies ist des Bundes erste first duty of the brotherhood. This is our brotherhood’s first (etc.)
Pflicht. Many a wise men has let rule.
Manch weiser Mann ließ sich himself be led astray. Such men Even a wise man who ignores
berücken, were negligent, and did not see this
Er fehlte und versah sich's their mistake. In the end, they Is blinded, acting like a fool.
nicht. found themselves desolate, His destiny is desolation;
Verlassen sah er sich am Ende, their trust repaid with scorn. In His trust shall be repaid with
Vergolten seine Treu' mit vain they wrung their hands; scorn.
Hohn. death and despair were their Too late, he sees his situation:
Vergebens rang er seine Hände, reward. Death and despair are his
Tod und Verzweiflung war sein reward.
Lohn.
(Beide Priester ab. Plötzlich ist (Exeunt both priests. Suddenly (Exeunt both priests. Suddenly
es dunkel.) it is dark.) it is dark.)

He, Lichter her! Lichter her! - Hey! lights, lights here! Who Hey! lights, lights here! Who
Das ist doch wunderlich, so oft turned out the lights? Isn’t this turned out the lights? Isn’t this
einen die Herrn verlassen, sieht just wonderful! As soon as just wonderful! As soon as
man mit offenen Augen nichts. these guys leave, you can’t see these guys leave, you can’t see
your hand in front of your face. your hand in front of your face.

Ertrag es mit Geduld, und Bear it with patience, and Bear it with patience, and
denke, es ist der Götter Wille. remind yourself: it is the will of remind yourself: it is the will of
the gods. the gods.
(Die Drei Damen kommen aus (The Three Ladies appear out (The Three Ladies appear out
der Versenkung.) of the gloom.) of the gloom.)
12. Quintett 12. Quintet 12. Quintet

Wie, wie, wie? How is this? You in this place You, and you,
Ihr an diesem Schreckensort? of terror? You will never, In this terrifying place?
Nie, nie, nie never, never, come out of this Never to
Kommt ihr wieder glücklich happily again! Tamino, certain Feel the sunlight on your face?
fort! death awaits you! You, Tamino, certain death awaits
Tamin o , d i r i st Tod Papageno, are lost! you!
geschworen! And Papageno, you are done
Du, Papageno, bist verloren! for!

Nein, nein, nein, das wär' zu No, no, that would be too much Everything is going south!
viel. [to bear].

Papageno, schweige still! Papageno, be quiet! Do you Papageno, shut your mouth!
Willst du dein Gelübde want to break your oath, not to Do you want your promise
brechen, speak with women here? broken,
Nicht mit Weibern hier zu For that nonsense they have
sprechen? spoken?

Du hörst ja, wir sind beide hin. You heard that, we’re both You heard them say, it’s up for
done for. us.

Stille, sag ich, schweige still! Quiet, I say, be quiet! Quiet, now, and quit your fuss!

Immer still, und immer still! Always quiet, always quiet! Always quiet, always quiet!

Ganz nah' ist euch die Königin! The Queen is very close! Our mighty Queen is almost
Sie drang im Tempel heimlich She has sneaked into the here!
ein. temple. Just now, she stole in through
the rear.
Wie? Was? Sie soll im Tempel What’s that? You say she’s in What’s that? She’s in the
sein? the temple? temple now?

Stille, sag' ich, schweige still! Quiet, I say, be quiet! Will you Please be quiet! Hold your
Wirst du immer so vermessen be so insolent, as to forget the tongue!
Deiner Eidespflicht vergessen? duty of your oath? Must you be so disrespectful,
And of duty so forgetful?

Tamino, hör'! Du bist verloren! Tamino, listen! It’s all up for Tamino, there’s no hope for
Gedenke an die Königin! you! Think of the Queen! We you now!
Man zischelt viel sich in die could whisper many things in Think what the Queen will
Ohren your ear about these priests’ make of this!
Von dieser Priester falschem fraudulent wisdom. If you will listen, we can tell
Sinn. you
Disgusting things about the
priests.
Tamino (für sich): Tamino (to himself): Tamino (to himself):

Ein Weiser prüft und achtet A wise man gives no A wise man reasons prudently,
nicht, consideration, nor pays any Ignoring what the masses say
Was der gemeine Pöbel spricht. mind, to what the masses say.

Man zischelt viel sich in die We could whisper many things
Oh, they have many dirty
Ohren in your ear about these priests’
secrets.
Von dieser Priester falschem fraudulent wisdom. It is said,
Their priestly wisdom is a
Sinn. whoever pledges himself to fraud.
Man sagt, wer ihrem Bunde their brotherhood is damned to
They say, whoever joins their
schwört, hell from head to toe. order
Der fährt zur Höll' mit Haut Is damned to hell from head to O.T. Der fährt zur Höll[e]
und Haar. toe. literally, ‘he goes to Hell’;
also, mit Haut und Haar:
Papageno: Papageno: Papageno: literally, ‘with skin and hair’
Das wär', beim Teufel, That, by the devil, would be That, by the devil, (idiomatic expression)
unerhört! unheard of! Tell me, Tamino, is Can’t be true!Tell me, Tamino, denoting entirety
Sag' an, Tamino, ist das wahr? this true? is it so?
Tamino: Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Geschwätz, von Weibern Gossip, repeated mindlessly by {Ju st women’s gossip, Just mindless gossip, echoing
nachgesagt, women, thought up by mindlessly What hypocrites want you to
Von Heuchlern aber hypocrites. Repeating foul hypocrisy.} think.
ausgedacht.

Doch sagt es auch die Königin. But the Queen also says so. But if the Queen says it is so?
Tamino: Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Sie ist ein Weib, hat She is a woman, and thinks like {She is a woman, don’t you She has an axe to grind, you
Weibersinn. a woman. Be still! Let my word know?} know! (etc.)
Sei still, mein Wort sei dir be enough for you: Consider Just keep your mind on what
genug: your duty and act intelligently. I’ve said:
Denk' deiner Pflicht und handle Think of your oath, and use
klug. your head.
Drei Damen (zu Tamino): Three Ladies(to Tamino): Three Ladies(to Tamino):
Warum bist du mit uns so Why are you so aloof from us? But why are you so slow to
spröde? answer?
(Tamino deutet bescheiden, (Tamino signals discreetly that (Tamino signals discreetly that
daß er nicht sprechen he is not permitted to speak.) he is not permitted to speak.)
darf.)
Auch Papageno schweigt - so Papageno is also silent–speak! And Papageno too; let’s hear
rede! your banter!

Ich möchte gerne - woll... I’d like to.. I... I’d really like to...but....

Still! Quiet! No!

Ihr seht, daß ich nicht kann das You see that I just can’t seem to You see, it’s really quite
Plaudern lassen, quit chattering; that’s really a disgraceful
Ist wahrlich eine Schand' für disgrace for me. That I can’t seem to shut my
mich! mouth.

Daß du nicht kannst das It’s really a disgrace for you It’s really terribly disgraceful,
Plaudern lassen, that you just can’t seem to quit That you just cannot seem to
Ist wahrlich eine Schand' für chattering. stop.
dich!
Alle fünf: All five: All five:

Wir/Sie müßen Sie/uns mit We/you must leave you/us with We/you slink away with
Scham verlassen, feelings of shame; no one is shameful faces;
Es plaudert keiner sicherlich. talking now. A man who can For no one’s saying anything.
Von festem Geiste ist ein think what he says is of A man who thinks before he
Mann, steadfast spirit. speaks
Er denket, was er sprechen Is not a man whose will is
kann. weak.
(Die Drei Damen wollen (The Three Ladies make as if to (The Three Ladies make as if to
gehen, die Eingeweihten rufen leave; then the priests call from leave; then the priests call from
von innen.) offstage.) offstage.)
Priester: Priests: Priests:

Entweiht ist die heilige The sacred threshold is defiled! Their presence here is
Schwelle! Down with those women to desecration!
Hinab mit den Weibern zur hell! Away with those women to The trespassers face their own
Hölle! damnation! damnation!
(Ein schrecklicher Akkord mit ( A frightful chord with all ( A frightful chord with all
allen Instrumenten, Donner, instruments, thunder, lightning, instruments, thunder, lightning,
Blitz und and explosion;simultaneously, and explosion;simultaneously,
Schlag, zugleich zwei starke two loud thunderclaps.) two loud thunderclaps.)
Donner.)

O weh! O weh! O weh! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!
(Sie stürzen in die Versenkung.) (They sink into the abyss.) (They sink into the abyss.)
Papageno (fällt vor Schrecken Papageno (falls to the ground Papageno (falls to the ground
zu Boden): with fear): with fear):
O weh, o weh, o weh! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!
(Der Sprecher und Priester (Enter the Speaker and priests Enter the Speaker and priests
treten mit Fackeln with torches.) with torches.)
ein.)

Jüngling! Dein standhaft Young man! Your steadfast, Young man! Your steadfast,
männliches Betragen hat manly behavior has triumphed; manly behavior has triumphed;
gesiegt. Wir wollen also mit thus, with clear heart we wish we are eager to resume our
reinem Herzen unsere to continue our journey journey.
Wanderschaft weiter fortsetzen. together.
(Er gibt ihm den Sack um.) (He places the sack over his (He places the sack over his
head.) head.)
So! Nun komm! So! Let’s go! So! Let’s go!
(Er geht mit Tamino ab.) (Exeunt Speaker and Tamino) (Exeunt Speaker and Tamino)

Was seh ich, Freund! Stehe auf! What do I see, friend? Get up! What do I see, friend? Get up!
Wie ist dir? What’s the matter? What’s the matter?

Ich lieg' in einer Ohnmacht! I’m lying here in a faint! I’m lying here unconscious!

Auf! Sammle dich, und sei ein Up! Pull yourself together and Up! Pull yourself together and
Mann! be a man! be a man!
Papageno (steht auf): Papageno (rises): Papageno (rises):

Aber sagt mir nur, meine lieben But tell me, my good sirs, why But tell me, my good sirs, why
Herren, warum muß ich denn must I feel all these torments must I feel all these torments
alle diese Qualen und and terrors? If the gods really and terrors? If the gods really
Schrecken empfinden? Wenn have chosen a Papagena for me, have chosen a Papagena for me,
mir ja die Götter eine Papagena then why do I have to win her then why do I have to win her
bestimmten, warum denn mit so through all these dangers? through all these dangers?
viel Gefahren sie erringen?

Diese neugierige Frage mag Your patience will answer this Your patience will reward your
deine Vernunft dir beantworten. curious question. Come! My curiosity. Come! My duty is
Komm! Meine Pflicht ist allein, duty is just to lead you onward. just to lead you onward.
dich weiterzuführen.
(Er gibt ihm den Sack um.) (He places the sack over his He places the sack over his
head.) head.)

B e i s o e i n e r e w i g e n Love deserts you forever on Love deserts you forever on
Wanderschaft, da möcht' einem this kind of endless journey. this kind of endless journey.
wohl die Liebe auf immer
vergehen.
(Der Zweiter Priester geht mit

ihm ab.) (Exit Second Priest and (Exit Second Priest and
Papageno.) Papageno.)
________________________ ________________________
Das Theater verwandelt sich in A pleasant garden: trees are A pleasant garden: trees are
einen angenehmen Garten; arranged in a horseshoe arranged in a horseshoe
Bäume,die nach Art eines configuration, in the midst of configuration, in the midst of
Hufeisens gesetzt sind; in der which stands an arbor of roses which stands an arbor of roses
Mitte steht eine Laube von and other flowers. Pamina is and other flowers. Pamina is
Blumen und Rosen, worin asleep inside the arbor. The asleep inside the arbor. The
Pamina schläft. Der Mond moon illuminates her face. A moon illuminates her face. A
beleuchtet ihr Gesicht. Ganz grassy bank is in the grassy bank is in the
vor steht eine Rasenbank. foreground. foreground.
(Monostatos kommt, setzt sich (Enter Monostatos. He sits (Enter Monostatos. He sits
nach einer Pause.) down after a pause.) down after a pause.)

Ha, da find' ich ja die spröde Ha, there is the coy beautiful Ha, there is the coy beautiful
Schöne! Welcher Mensch thing! What man would remain thing! What man would remain
würde bei so einem Anblick cold and without feeling in the without feeling in the presence
kalt und unempfindlich presence of such a vision? The of such a vision? The fire
bleiben? Das Feuer, das in mir fire smoldering within me is smoldering within me is
glimmt, wird mich noch threatening to consume me! If I threatening to consume me! If I
verzehren! Wenn ich wüßte - could be sure I were alone and could be sure I were alone and
daß ich so ganz allein und unobserved like this, I’d dare to unobserved like this, I’d dare to
unbelauscht wäre - ich wagte es try it... try it...
noch einmal.
(Er macht sich Wind mit beiden (He fans himself with both (He fans himself with both
Händen.) hands.) hands.)
Das Mädchen wird noch um This girl’s going to be my This girl’s going to be my
meinen Verstand mich bringen. undoing in these circumstances. undoung yet.
(Er sieht sich allenthalben um.) (He glances around him (He glances around him
everywhere.) everywhere.)
Es ist doch eine verdammte It’s such a damned fool thing It’s such a damned fool thing
närrische Sache um die Liebe! with love! I’d think you could with love! You’d think you
Ein Küßchen, dächte ich, ließe excuse one little kiss. could excuse one little kiss.
sich entschuldigen.
Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden, Everything feels the joy of love: Billing, cooing, hugging,
Schnäbelt, tändelt, herzt und billing and cooing, dallying, kissing,
küßt; hugging and kissing; and I am All the world feels joy of love;
Und ich sollt' die Liebe meiden, supposed to avoid love, {Yet, because a black man’s Yet, because they say I’m
Weil ein Schwarzer häßlich ist! because a black man is ugly! Is ugly,} ugly, etc.
Ist mir denn kein Herz no heart then given to me? Am I am granted none thereof!
gegeben? I not of flesh and blood? It Must I have no heart to
Bin ich nicht von Fleisch und would truly be the fires of hell, cherish?
Blut? to have to live without a Am I not of flesh and blood?
Immer ohne Weibchen leben, woman forever! Therefore, I Better in the flames to perish,
Wäre wahrlich Höllenglut! wish, because I am alive, to bill Than accept such O.T., S.T. syllabic mapping:
and coo, kiss, and be tender; bachelorhood. “Höllenglut” >
Drum so will ich, weil ich lebe, dear moon, forgive me! A white “bachelorhood”
Schnäbeln, küssen, zärtlich one has captured my fancy. While I’m yet among the living
sein! White is lovely! I must kiss her! I must find out what I miss.
Lieber guter Mond, vergebe, Moon, hide yourself! If it Oh, sweet moon, now be
{Eine Weiße nahm mich ein.} should offend you too much, forgiving;
Weiß ist schön! Ich muß sie then close your eyes! {[1]She is white and I am not, [1,2]I shall dare to steal a kiss!
küssen; [2]Yet I dare to steal a kiss!}
{Mond, verstecke dich dazu!} There’s no doubt; I just must
Sollt' es dich zu sehr kiss her.
verdrießen, {[1]See her skin, as white as [1]See her skin, as smooth as
O so mach' die Augen zu! snow!} silk!
[2]Such a beauty, such a prize!
Moon, if what I do offends you,
Turn away and close your eyes!
(Er schleicht langsam und leise (He sneaks up slowly and (He sneaks up slowly and
hin. Die Königin der Nacht quietly . Enter the Queen of the quietly . Enter the Queen of the
kommt unter Donner aus der Night, with thunder, rising out Night, with thunder, rising out
mittleren Versenkung, und so, of the abyss so as to stand of the abyss so as to stand
daß sie gerade vor Pamina zu directly before Pamina.) directly before Pamina.)
stehen kommt.)
Königin: Queen of the Night: Queen of the Night:

Zurücke! Get back! Away!
Pamina (erwacht): Pamina (awakening): Pamina (awakening):

Ihr Götter! Gods! Gods!
Monostatos (prallt zurück): Monostatos (springing back): Monostatos (springing back):

O weh! Das ist - die Göttin der Oh no! That is–the Goddess of Oh no! That’s–the Goddess of
Nacht! the Night! the Night!
(steht ganz still) (Freezes.) (Freezes.)

Mutter! Mother! Mother!
(Sie fällt ihr in die Arme) (She falls into her arms.) (She falls into her arms.)

Mutter? Hm, das muß man von Mother? Hmm, one had better Mother? Hmm, I’d better listen
weitem belauschen. listen to this from a distance. to this from a distance.
(Er schleicht ab.) (Exit, sneaking) (Exit, sneaking)

Wo ist der Jüngling, den ich an Where is the young man, whom Where is the young man, whom
dich sandte? I sent to you? I sent to you?

Er hat sich den Eingeweihten He has pledged himself to the He has pledged himself to the
gewidmet. initiates. initiates.

Unglückliche Tochter, nun bist Unhappy daughter, now you Unhappy daughter, now you
du auf ewig mir entrissen. truly have been torn from me truly have been torn from me
forever. forever.

Entrissen? O fliehen wir, liebe Taken from you? Oh, let us Taken from you? Oh, let us
Mutter! Unter deinem Schutz flee, dear mother! Under your flee, dear mother! Under your
trotz' ich jeder Gefahr. protection I will brave every protection I will brave every
danger. danger.

Schutz? Liebes Kind, deine Protection? My dear child, your Protection? My dear child, your
Mutter kann dich nicht mehr mother cannot protect you any mother cannot protect you any
schützen. Mit deines Vaters more. My power went to the more. My power went to the
Tod ging meine Macht zu grave with your father’s death. grave with your father’s death.
Grabe. Übergab freiwillig den He willingly gave the He willingly gave the
siebenfachen Sonnenkreis den Sevenfold Sun-Shield to the Sevenfold Sun-Shield to the
Eingeweihten; diesen initiates; Sarastro wears this initiates; Sarastro wears this
mächtigen Sonnenkreis trägt mighty Sun-Shield on his chest. mighty Sun-Shield on his chest.
Sarastro auf seiner Brust.
(She draws out a dagger.) (She draws out a dagger.)
(zieht einen Dolch hervor)
Do you see this blade here? It Do you see this blade here? It
Siehst du hier diesen Stahl? Er has been sharpened just for has been sharpened just for
ist für Sarastro geschliffen. Sarastro. You will kill him and Sarastro. You will kill him and
Du wirst ihn töten und den hand over the mighty Sun- hand over the mighty Sun-
mächtigen Sonnenkreis mir Shield to me. Shield to me.
überliefern.
(She shoves the dagger at (She shoves the dagger at
(Sie dringt ihr den Dolch auf.) Pamina.) Pamina.)

Aber, liebste Mutter! - But, Mother dear!!- But, Mother dear!!-

Kein Wort! Not another word! No more talk!
Der Hölle Rache kocht in The vengeance of hell cooks in The wrath of hell is holocaust
meinem Herzen, my heart. Death and despair within me;
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet flame all around me! If Sarastro Death, desolation flaming all O.T.: should this read
um mich her! does not feel the pain of death around! »flammen um mich her!«?
Fühlt nicht durch dich Sarastro through you, you shall never be Either you move
Todesschmerzen, my daughter again. You shall To kill Sarastro swiftly,
So bist du meine Tochter be forever disowned, forever Or else you’re not my daughter
nimmermehr. forsaken, all bonds of nature any more.
Verstoßen sei auf ewig, forever destroyed, if you do not Forever I’ll disown you!
verlassen sei auf ewig. make Sarastro’s blood drain Forever I’ll forsake you!
Zertrümmert sei'n auf ewig away! Hear, gods of vengeance, Forever I will sunder
{alle Bande der Natur,} hear a mother’s vow! [1,2]All nature’s loving bonds,
Wenn nicht durch dich Sarastro [3 (legato triplets and second
wird erblassen! chime-note run)]All of nature’s
{Hört}, Rachegötter, hört der loving bonds,
Mutter Schwur! Unless his blood is drained into
the gutter!
[1,2]Hear,
[3]de-
mons of vengeance,
hear this mother’s vow!
(Sie versinkt mitten in Donner (She descends away in thunder (She descends away in thunder
und Blitz.) and lightning.) and lightning.)
Pamina (mit dem Dolch in der Pamina (with the dagger in her Pamina (with the dagger in her
Hand): hand): hand):
Morden soll ich? - Götter, das I am supposed to murder? I am supposed to murder?
kann ich nicht! Gods, I cannot do that! Gods, Gods, I cannot do that! What
Götter, was soll ich tun? what shall I do? shall I do?
Monostatos (kommt schnell, Monostatos (appearing swiftly, Monostatos (appearing swiftly,

heimlich und freudig): secretively, and smirking): secretively, and smirking):
Dich mir anvertrauen. Entrust yourself to me. Entrust yourself to me.

Ha! Ha! Ha!
Monostatos: Monostatos: Monostatos: Monostatos:

Warum zitterst du? Vor meiner Why do you tremble? Is it my {Why do you tremble? Is it the Why do you tremble? Is it my
schwarzen Farbe, oder vor dem black coloration, or the color of my skin, or the appearance, or the
ausgedachten Mord? contemplated murder? contemplated murder?} contemplated murder?
Pamina (schüchtern): Pamina: (shyly): Pamina: (shyly):

Du weißt also? - You know then– You know then–

Alles. - Du hast also nur einen Everything. You thus have only Everything. You thus have only
Weg, dich und deine Mutter zu one way to save yourself and one way to save yourself and
retten. your mother. your mother.

Der wäre? That is? That is?

Mich zu lieben! Ja oder nein? To love me! Yes or no? To love me! Yes or no?
Pamina (entschlossen): Pamina (decisively): Pamina (decisively):

Nein! No! No!
Monostatos (voll Zorn): Monostatos (angrily): Monostatos (angrily):

Nein? Liebe oder Tod! No? Love or death! No? Love or death!
Pamina (entschlossen): Pamina (decisively): Pamina (decisively):

Nie! Never! Never!
(Sarastro tritt auf.) (Enter Sarastro.) (Enter Sarastro.)
Monostatos (erhebt den Monostatos (brandishes the Monostatos (brandishes the

Dolch): dagger): dagger):
So fahre denn hin! So go to hell! So go to hell!
Sarastro (hält ihn schnell ab): Sarastro (grabs him and pulls Sarastro (grabs him and pulls
Monostatos! him sharply back): him sharply back):
Monostatos! Monostatos!

Herr, man hat deinen Tod My lord, they were plotting My lord, they were plotting
geschworen, darum wollt' ich your murder–I was going to your murder–I was going to
dich rächen. avenge you. make them pay for it.
Sarastro: Sarastro: Sarastro: Sarastro:

Ich weiß nur allzuviel. Ich I know only too much. I know {I know only too much. I know I know only too much. I know
weiß, daß deine Seele ebenso that your soul is as black as that your soul is as black as that your soul is as twisted as
schwarz als dein Gesicht ist. your face is. Go! your face. Get out!} your face. Get out!
Geh!
Monostatos (im Abgehen): Monostatos(in parting): Monostatos(in parting):

Jetzt such' ich die Mutter auf, Now I shall seek the mother, The daughter is not granted me,
weil mir die Tochter nicht because the daughter is not yet–we shall see if the mother
beschieden ist. granted me. can help out.
(Geht ab.) (Exit.) (Exit.)

Herr, strafe meine Mutter nicht! Lord, do not punish my mother! Lord, do not punish my mother!
Der Schmerz über meine The pain of my absence... The pain of my absence...
Abwesenheit...

Ich weiß alles. - Weiß, daß sie I know everything–I know, for
I know everything–I know, that
in unterirdischen Gemächern example, that she is blundering
she is blundering about in the
des Tempels herumirrt und about in the subterranean
subterranean chambers of the
Rache über mich und die chambers of the temple as we
temple as we speak, plotting
Menschheit kocht; allein, du speak, plotting vengeance
vengeance against myself and
sollst sehen, wie ich mich an against myself and against O.T.: Curiously, this is the
against mankind; however, you
deiner Mutter räche. mankind; however, you shall only place in the libretto
shall see how I avenge myself
upon your mother. see how I bring her to justice. where we hear Sarastro hint
at a personal grudge, of
15. Arie 15. Aria 15. Aria wanting vengeance. It seems a
bit out of character–or is his
In diesen heil'gen Hallen Within these holy halls Around the sacred altar human frailty peeking
Kennt man die Rache nicht, We do not know revenge; No grudge is ever held; through? It seems particularly
Und ist ein Mensch gefallen, And if a person is fallen, If one of us should falter, jarring in view of the
Führt Liebe ihn zur Pflicht. Love leads him back to duty. In love he returns to our fold. following aria.
{Dann wandelt er an Freundes Then he strolls, hand in hand [1]For we assist whomever
Hand with a friend, pleased and goes astray
Vergnügt und froh in's bess're happy, to a better land. And lead him gently to a better
Land.} way.
Ins bess’re [2,3]We help whomever goes
Ins bess’re Land. astray
And lead him back to find his
way.
To find
To find his way.
In diesen heil'gen Mauern, Within these holy walls Within these walls of power
Wo Mensch den Menschen Where one person loves We love as brothers do;
liebt, another, No traitors lurk or cower
Kann kein Verräter lauern, No traitor can lurk, Where we forgive our foe.
Weil man dem Feind vergibt. Because one forgives the [1]The fool who hears these O.T., S.T. syllabic mappings:
{Wen solche Lehren nicht enemy. words and still cannot see “Lehren”>”hears these
erfreun, Whoever is not delighted by Does not deserve his humanity. words and”;
Verdienet nicht ein Mensch zu such lessons, [2,3] The fool who hears and “erfreun”>”cannot see”
sein.} Does not deserve to be a human cannot see
Ein Mensch being. Does not deserve humanity.
Ein Mensch zu sein. Deserve
humanity.
(Gehen beide ab.) (Exeunt.) (Exeunt.)

________________________ ________________________
4. Auftritt Scene 4 Scene 4.
Das Theater verwandelt sich in A hall, in which it is possible to A hall, in which it is possible to
eine Halle, wo das Flugwerk operate the flying platform. The operate the flying platform. The
gehen kann. Das Flugwerk ist platform is surrounded with platform is surrounded with
mit Rosen und Blumen roses and other flowers, into roses and other flowers, into
umgeben, wo sich sodann eine which a door opens. In the which a door opens. In the
Türe öffnet. Ganz vorne sind foreground are two rose- foreground are two rose-
zwei Rasenbänke. covered benches. covered benches.
(Tamino und Papageno (Tamino and Papageno are led (Tamino and Papageno are led
werden ohne Säcke von den in, bareheaded, by the two in, bareheaded, by the two
zwei Priestern hereingeführt.) priests.) priests.)

Hier seid ihr euch beide allein The two of you will be left The two of you will be left
überlassen. Sobald die Posaune alone here. As soon as the horn alone here. As soon as the horn
tönt, dann nehmt ihr euren Weg sounds, you shall continue on sounds, you shall continue on
dahin. Prinz, lebt wohl! Noch your way. Good luck, prince! your way. Good luck, prince!
einmal, vergeßt das Wort nicht: Once again, do not forget the Once again, do not forget the
Schweigen. word: silence. word: silence.

Papageno, wer an diesem Ort Papageno, whoever breaks his Papageno, whoever breaks his
sein Stillschweigen bricht, den silence in this place will be silence in this place will be
strafen die Götter durch Donner punished by the gods with punished by the gods with
und Blitz. Leb wohl! thunder and lightning. Good thunder and lightning. Good
luck! luck!
(Tamino setzt sich auf eine (Tamino sits down on one of (Tamino sits down on one of
Rasenbank.) the benches.) the benches.)
Papageno (nach einer Pause): Papageno (after a pause): Papageno (after a pause):
Tamino! Tamino! Tamino!
Tamino (verweisend): Tamino (reprovingly): Tamino (reprovingly):

St! Sh! Sh!

Das ist ein lustiges Leben! Wär' Isn’t this a happy life! If I were Isn’t this a happy life! If I were
ich lieber in meiner only in my straw hut or in the only in my straw hut or in the
Strohhütte, oder im Wald, da woods, I’d at least hear a bird woods, I’d at least hear a bird
hör ich doch noch manchmal call every now and then. call every now and then.
einen Vogel pfeifen.

St! Sh! Sh!

Also, mit mir selber werd ich ja Well, maybe I’m allowed to Well, maybe I’m allowed to
vielleicht noch reden dürfen; talk to myself; and also, we two talk to myself; and also, we two
und auch wir zwei, wir können can talk to each other, we are can talk to each other, we are
miteinander sprechen, wir sind men. La la la-la la la! men. La la la-la la la!
ja Männer. La la la-la la la!

St! Sh! Sh!
Papageno (pfeift): Papageno (plays his pipe): Papageno (plays his pipe):
Nicht einmal einen Tropfen You don’t even get a drop of You don’t even get a drop of
Wasser bekommt man bei water [to drink] from these water to drink from these folks,
diesen Leuten; viel weniger folks, much less anything else. much less anything else.
sonst was.
(Ein altes häßliches Weib (An old, ugly woman appears (An old, ugly woman appears
kommt aus der Versenkung, out of the gloom, holding a out of the gloom, holding a
hält auf einer Tasse einen large goblet of water on a large goblet of water on a
großen Becher Wasser.) saucer.) saucer.)
Papageno (sieht sie lang an): Papageno (examining her at Papageno (examining her at
Ist das für mich? length): length):
Is that for me? Is that for me?
Altes Weib: Old Woman: Old Woman:

Ja, mein Engel! Yes, my angel! Yes, my angel!
Papageno (sieht sie wieder an, Papageno (examining her Papageno (examining her
trinkt): again, drinking): again, drinking):
Wasser! Nicht mehr und nicht Water! Nothing more and Water! Nothing more and
weniger als Wasser. - Sag du nothing less than water... nothing less than water...
mir, du unbekannte Schöne, Tell me, unknown beauty, are Tell me, unknown beauty, are
werden alle fremden Gäste auf all strangers entertained this all strangers entertained this
diese Art bewirtet? way? way?

Freilich, mein Engel! Of course, my angel! Of course, my angel!

So, so! - Auf diese Art werden So, so! - In this way, strangers So, so! - In this way, strangers
die Fremden auch nicht gar zu won’t [be encouraged to] come won’t be encouraged to come
häufig kommen. too frequently. too frequently.

Sehr wenig. Very seldom.. Very seldom..

Das kann ich mir denken. Geh, I can imagine that. Come, old I can imagine that. Come, old
komm, Alte, setze dich ein one, sit down a little while next one, sit down a little while next
bisser! her zu mir, mir ist die to me; the hours seem damned to me; things get damned
Zeit verdammt lang. Sag du long to me. Tell me, how old boring around here. Tell me,
mir, wie alt bist denn du? are you then? how old are you then?

Wie alt? How old? How old?

Ja! Yeah! Yeah!

Achtzehn Jahr und zwei Eighteen years and two Eighteen years and two
Minuten. minutes. minutes.

Achtzig Jahr? Eighty years? Eighty years?

Minuten. minutes. minutes.

Minuten? minutes? minutes?

Ja! Yes! Yes!

Ha ha ha! - Ei, du junger Engel! Ha ha ha!–Well, you young Ha ha ha!–Well, you young
Sag mal, hast du auch einen angel! Tell me then, do you angel! Tell me then, do you
Geliebten? also have a sweetheart? also have a sweetheart?

Ei, freilich, mein Engel! Oh, of course, my angel! Oh, of course, my angel!

Ist er auch so jung wie du? Is he also as young as you? Is he also as young as you?

Nicht gar, er ist um zehn Jahre Not quite; he is about ten years Not quite; he is about ten years
älter. older. older.

Was, um zehn Jahre ist der What, he is about ten years What, he is about ten years
noch älter als du? Das muß older than you? That must be a older than you? That must be a
ja eine feurige Liebe sein! Und fiery love! And what, then, is fiery love! And what, then, is
wie nennt sich denn dein your beloved’s name? your beloved’s name?
Liebhaber?


Papageno? Wo ist er denn, Papageno? Then where is Papageno? Then where is
dieser Papageno? this–Papageno? this–Papageno?

Da sitzt er, mein Engel! He’s sitting right there, my He’s sitting right there, my
angel! angel!

Was, ich wär dein Geliebter? What, I am your sweetheart? What, I am your sweetheart?

Papageno (nimmt schnell das Papageno (grabs the water Papageno (grabs the water
Wasser und spritzt sie ins quickly and dashes it in her quickly and dashes it in her
Gesicht): face): face):
Sag du mir, wie heißt du denn? Tell me then, what’s your Tell me then, what’s your
name? name?

Ich heiße - My name is– My name is–
(Die Alte hint schnell ab) (She suddenly runs away and (She suddenly runs away and
disappears.) disappears.)

Oh! Oh! Oh!
(Tamino steht auf, droht ihm (Tamino arises, threatening (Tamino arises, threatening
mit dem Finger.) him with his finger.) him with his finger.)
Nun sprech' ich aber kein Wort From now on I won’t speak From now on I won’t speak
mehr! another word! another word!
(Die Drei Knaben kommen in (Enter the Three Boys in a (Enter the Three Boys in a
einem mit Rosen bedeckten rose-covered flying platform. In rose-covered flying platform. In
Flugwerk. In der Mitte steht ein the middle stands a beautifully the middle stands a beautifully
schön gedeckter Tisch. Der eine decorated table with enticing decorated table with enticing
hat die Flöte, der andere das food. One of the boys is food. One of the boys is
Kätschen mit Glöckchen.) carrying the flute; another, the carrying the flute; another, the
cabinet of bells.) cabinet of bells.)
16. Terzett 16. Trio 16. Trio

Seid uns zum zweitenmal Be welcome, you men, for the As, for the second time, we
willkommen, second time into Sarastro’s greet you,
Ihr Männer, in Sarastros Reich, realm. He sends that which has Welcoming you to Sarastro’s
Er schickt, was man euch been taken away from you: the realm,
abgenommen, flute and the bells. If you do not We give you back what we’ve
Die Flöte und die Glöckchen scorn the food and drink, then guarded for you:
euch. eat and drink happily of them. Here are the flute and magic
Wollt ihr die Speisen nicht When we meet for the third bells.
verschmähen, time, joy will be the reward for We hope this modest feast will
So esset, trinket froh davon. your courage. Tamino, be please you;
Wenn wir zum drittenmal uns brave! The goal is near. You, So eat and drink to your
sehen, Papageno, keep quiet! delight.
Ist Freude eures Mutes Lohn. Know that the third time we
Tamino, Mut! Nah ist das Ziel. shall meet you
Du, Papageno, schweige still! Joy will then be the brave’s
Still, still, schweige still! reward.
Tamino, heart! You’re almost
there.
You, Papageno: hold your
tongue!
Hush, hush, hold your tongue!
(Unter dem Terzett setzen sie (As they sing, they lay the table (As they sing, they lay the table
den Tisch in die Mitte und down center-stage and then fly down center-stage and then fly
fliegen auf.) off.) off.)

Tamino, wollen wir nicht Tamino, don’t we want to eat? Tamino, don’t we want to eat?
speisen?
(Tamino bläst uaf seiner Flöte) (Tamino plays his flute.) (Tamino plays his flute.)
Blase du nur fort auf deiner Go ahead and play your flute. Go ahead and play your flute.
Flöte, ich will meine Brocken I’ll just mind my own business. I’ll just mind my own business.
blasen. Herr Sarastro führt eine Mr. Sarastro has a good cook. Mr. Sarastro has a good cook.
gute Küche. Auf die Art, ja, da In this way, certainly, I’ll keep I’ll keep quiet, when I get such
will ich schon schweigen, wenn quiet, when I get such good good food as this. Now let me
ich immer solche gute Bissen food as this. Now let me see if see if the wine cellar is also
bekomme. Nun, ich will sehen, the wine cellar is also stocked stocked so well.
ob auch der Keller so gut so well.
bestellt ist.
(Er trinkt.) (He drinks.) (He drinks.)
Ha! Das ist Götterwein! Ah! That is wine of the gods! Ah! That is wine of the gods!
(Die Flöte schweigt.) (The flute-playing stops.) (The flute-playing stops.)
Pamina (freudig eintretend): Pamina (entering happily): Pamina (entering happily):

Du hier? Gütige Götter! Dank You, here? Sweet gods, I thank You, here? Sweet gods, I thank
euch! Ich hörte deine Flöte - you! I heard your flute, and you! I heard your flute, and
und so lief ich pfeilschnell dem swiftly as an arrow, I followed swiftly as an arrow, I followed
Tone nach. Aber du bist the sound. But why are you the sound. But why are you
traurig? Sprichst nicht eine sad? Aren’t you going to say sad? Aren’t you going to say
Silbe mit deiner Pamina? even one syllable to your even one syllable to your
Pamina? Pamina?
Tamino (seufzt) Tamino (sighs) Tamino (sighs)

Ah! Ah! Ah!
(Winkt ihr fortzugehen.) (Waves her away.) (Waves her away.)

Ich soll dich meiden? Ich soll I am supposed to avoid you? I I am supposed to avoid you? I
dich fliehen, ohne zu wissen, am to flee from you, without am to flee from you, without
warum? Tamino, liebst du mich even knowing why? Tamino, do even knowing why? Tamino, do
nicht mehr? - Papageno, sage you not love me any you not love me any
du mir, sag, was ist meinem more?–Papageno, tell me, what more?–Papageno, tell me, what
Freund? has happened with my friend? has happened with my friend?
(Papageno hat einen Brocken (Papageno has a mouthful of (Papageno has a mouthful of
in dem Mund, hält mit food in his mouth and food in food in his mouth and food in
beiden Händen die Speisen zu, each hand. He also waves her each hand. He also waves her
winkt fortzugehen.) away.) away.)

Wie? Auch du schweigst? O, What is this? You, too, are What is this? You, too, are
das ist mehr als Tod! Liebster, silent? Oh, this is worse than silent? Oh, this is worse than
einziger Tamino! death! My dearest, my only death! My dearest, my only
Tamino! Tamino!
Ach, ich fühl's, es ist Oh, I feel it, it has vanished; So it’s true, so swiftly
verschwunden, Love’s happiness gone forever! vanished,
{Ewig hin der Liebe Glück!} Its hours of happiness will Like a rose in winter wind!
Nimmer kommt ihr never return to my heart! Look, [2]Just like that, my hope is
Wonnestunden Tamino, these tears flow for gone.
{Meinem Herzen mehr you alone, trusted one! If you Loving, sweet anticipation
zurück!} no longer feel love’s yearning, Never can return as balm
Sieh', Tamino, diese Tränen, I shall only find peace in death. [2]For the aching in my heart.
Fließen, Trauter, dir allein, Look, Tamino, see me weeping:
Dir allein! All my tears are shed for you,
Fühlst du nicht {der Liebe Only for you!
Sehnen,} If you love me now no longer,
So wird Ruh' {im Tode sein.} [2]If you don’t love me,
Just one peace remains for me:
[2,3,4]The silent tomb.
(Sie geht traurig ab.) (Exit Pamina, sorrowfully.) (Exit Pamina, sorrowfully.)
Monolog. Monologue. Monologue.
Papageno (ißt hastig): Papageno (eats hastily): Papageno (eats hastily):

Nicht wahr, Tamino, ich kann Tamino, you see I can keep Tamino, you see I can keep
auch schweigen, wenn's sein silent, when I really have to.. silent, when I really have to..
muß. -- Ja; bei so einem Yes, in th is kind of Yes, when it comes to this, I am
Unternehmen, da bin ich ein undertaking, I am a man. a man.
Mann.
(Er trinkt.) (He drinks.) (He drinks.)
D e r K o c h u n d d e r Long live the cook and the Long live the cook and the
Kellermeister sollen leben. cellarmaster. cellarmaster.
(Dreimaliger Posaunenton. (The Threefold Chord is heard. (The Threefold Chord is heard.
Tamino winkt Papageno, daß Tamino gestures to Papageno Tamino gestures to Papageno
er gehen soll.) that it is time to go.) that it is time to go.)
Geh du nur voraus, ich komm You go first; I’ll be right You go first; I’ll be right
dann schon nach. behind you. behind you.
(Tamino will ihn mit Gewalt (Tamino tries to lead him on by (Tamino tries to lead him on by
fortführen.) force.) force.)
Nein! Der Stärkere bleibt da! No! The stronger one stays No! The stronger one stays
here! here!
(dreimaliger Posaunenton) (The Threefold Chord is heard (The Threefold Chord is heard
again.) again.)
Aha, das geht uns an. Aha, that’s for us. OK, I guess that’s for us.
(ruft) (He calls out) (He calls out)
Wir kommen schon. - Aber hör We’re coming!–But listen, We’re coming!–But listen,
mal, Tamino, was wird denn Tamino, what will happen to us Tamino, what will happen to us
noch alles mit uns werden? now? now?
(Tamino deutet den Himmel.) (Tamino points to the sky.) (Tamino points to the sky.)
Ach, du meinst, die Götter soll You mean, I should ask the You mean, I should ask the
ich fragen? gods? gods?
(Tamino deutet ja.) (Tamino g e s t u r e s (Tamino nods.)

affirmatively.)
Ja, die könnten uns freilich Yes, they could certainly tell us Yes, they could certainly tell us
mehr sagen, als wir wissen! more than we know now. more than we know.
(Dreimaliger Posaunenton. (The Threefold Chord sounds (The Threefold Chord sounds
Tamino reißt ihn mit Gewalt again. Tamino pulls him again. Tamino pulls him
fort.) forcibly onward.) forcibly onward.)
Wile nur nicht so, wir kommen Don’t be in such a hurry; we’ll Don’t be in such a hurry; we’ll
noch immer zeitlich genug, um be along in good enough time be along in good enough time
uns braten zu lassen. to be roasted. to be barbecued. O.T., R.T.: the phrase »um
uns braten zu lassen« could
(Ab.) (Exeunt.) (Exeunt.) also be an idiomatic
expression meaning “to make
________________________ ________________________ fools of ourselves”; however,
5. Auftritt Scene 5 Scene 5 a literal rendering makes
more sense to me in this
Das Theater verwandelt sich in A crescent of pyramids in the A crescent of pyramids in the context.
das Gewölbe von Pyramiden. background. background.
(Der Sprecher und einige (The Speaker and several other (The Speaker and several other
Priester treten auf. Zwei priests enter. Two of the priests priests enter. Two of the priests
Priester tragen eine erleuchtete carry an illuminated pyramid carry an illuminated pyramid
Pyramide auf den Schultern; on a stretcher-like carrier on a stretcher-like carrier
jeder Priester hat resting on their shoulders; each resting on their shoulders; each
eine transparente Pyramide in priest has a lantern-sized priest has a lantern-sized
der Größe einer Laterne in pyramid in his hand. The pyramid in his hand. The
der Hand. Achtzehn Priester in e i g h teen p riests a r r a y e i g h teen priests a r r a y
Form eines Dreiecks zu je 6 themselves in three triangular themselves in three triangular
aufgestellt.) formations, six to a formation.) formations, six to a formation.)
18. Chor 18. Chorus 18. Chorus
Chor der Priester: Priests: Priests:

O Isis und Osiris, welche O Isis and Osiris, what joy! O Isis and Osiris, bless this
Wonne! The glory of the sun drives story!
Die düst're Nacht verscheucht away the somber night. The gloom recedes before the
der Glanz der Sonne. Soon the noble youth will feel dawning glory.
Bald fühlt der edle Jüngling new life: soon he will be For now new life awaits
neues Leben: completely given over to our Tamino:
Bald ist er unserm Dienste ganz service. His spirit is bold; his Soon he will consecrate himself
ergeben. heart is pure; soon he will be as one of us.
Sein Geist ist kühn, sein Herz worthy of us. His soul is brave, his heart is
ist rein, pure
{Bald} wird er unser würdig [1]Soon
sein. [2]his
[3]place
among us will be secure.
(Tamino wird hereingeführt.) (Tamino is led in.) (Tamino is led in.)

Prinz, dein Betragen war bis Prince, your conduct has so far Prince, your conduct has so far
hierher männlich und gelassen; been manly and calm; now you been manly and calm; now you
nun hast du noch zwei yet have two perilous paths to yet have two perilous paths to
gefährliche Wege zu wandern. tread. If your heart beats just as tread. If your heart beats just as
Schlägt dein Herz noch ebenso warmly for Pamina, and if you warmly for Pamina, and if you
warm für Pamina, und wish to reign as a wise leader, wish to reign as a wise leader,
wünschest du einst als ein then the gods shall accompany then the gods shall accompany
weiser Fürst zu regieren, so you further. –Your hand. –Let you further. –Your hand.
mögen die Götter dich ferner Pamina be brought in! –Bring Pamina in!
begleiten. - Deine Hand. - Man
bringe Pamina!
(Eine Stille herrscht bei allen (A hush falls over all the (A hush falls over all the
Priestern; Pamina wird mit priests. Pamina is brought in priests. Pamina is brought in
eben diesem Sack, welcher die with a sack over her head, such with a sack over her head, such
Eingeweihten bedeckt, as that used by the initiated; as that used by the initiated;
hereingeführt; Sarastro löst die Sarastro unties the cords Sarastro unties the cords
Bande am Sacke auf.) holding the sack on.) holding the sack on.)

Wo bin ich? - Welch eine Where am I? - What a dreadful Where am I? - What a dreadful
fürchterliche Stille! - Wo ist silence! - Where is Tamino? silence! - Where is Tamino?
Tamino?

Er wartet deiner, um dir das He awaits you, to give you his He awaits you, to give you his
letzte Lebewohl zu sagen. final farewell. final farewell.

Das letzte Lebewohl? O wo ist His final farewell? Oh, where is His final farewell? Oh, where is
er? he? he?

Hier! Here! Here!


Zurück! Stay back! Stay back!
19. Terzett 19.Trio 19.Trio

Soll ich dich, Teurer, nicht Shall I see you no more, dear So will we never meet again?
mehr seh'n? one?

I h r we r d e t fro h eu ch You shall see one another You’ll be united once again.
wiedersehn! again, joyfully.

Dein warten tödliche Gefahren! Deadly dangers await you! But death will lurk in all
directions!

Die Götter mögen mich The gods shall protect me! The gods will grant me their
bewahren! protection!

Dein warten tödliche Gefahren! Deadly dangers await you! But death will lurk in all
directions!
Tamino, Sarastro: Tamino, Sarastro: Tamino, Sarastro:

Die Götter mögen mich/ihn The gods shall protect me/him! The gods will offer their
bewahren! protection!

Du wirst dem Tode nicht A premonition whispers to me: I sense a warning, like a
entgehen, you will not avoid death. whisper:
Mir flüstert dieses Ahnung ein. I see no way you can survive.

Der Götter Wille mag The will of the gods shall be What heaven wills is bound to
geschehen, done. Their sign will be law to happen;
Ihr Wink soll mir/ihm Gesetze me/him. The gods will grant me/him
sein! death or life.

O liebtest du, wie ich dich Oh, if you loved as I love you, Oh, if you loved the way I love
liebe, you would not be so calm. you,
Du würdest nicht so ruhig sein. You’d find it hard to be so
calm.

Glaub mir, ich/er fühle/fühlet Believe me, I/he feel/feels Believe me, I/he feel/feels just
gleiche Triebe, similar longings, and will as you do;
Werd'/Wird ewig dein Getreuer always be your devoted My/His love for you remains as
sein. follower. strong.

Die Stunde schlägt, nun müßt The hour strikes; now you must The hour strikes: now you must
ihr scheiden! part! part.
Pamina, Tamino: Pamina, Tamino: Pamina, Tamino:

Wie bitter sind der Trennung How bitter is the pain of A bitter burden for my heart!
Leiden! parting!

Tamino muß nun wieder fort. Tamino must now be on his Tamino must be on his way.
way.

Pamina, ich muß wirklich fort! Pamina, I must truly be on my Pamina, dear, it’s time to go.
way!

Tamino muß nun wirklich fort? Must Tamino truly be on his Tamino really has to go?
way?

Nun muß er fort! Now he must go! Now he must go!

Nun muß ich fort. Now I must go. Now I must go.

So mußt du fort! So you must go! So you must go!

Pamina, lebe wohl! Pamina, farewell! Pamina, please take care!

Tamino, lebe wohl! Tamino, farewell! Tamino, please take care!

Nun eile fort. Dich ruft dein Now hasten forth. Your destiny Your destiny is calling you.
Wort. calls you. The hour strikes; we The hour strikes; we’ll see you
Die Stunde schlägt, wir sehn shall see each other again. later.
uns wieder!
Tamino, Pamina: Tamino, Pamina: Tamino, Pamina:

Ach, gold'ne Ruhe, kehre Oh golden serenity, may you Sweet peace! I hope I live to
wieder! return! Farewell, farewell! feel it.
Lebe wohl! Lebe wohl! Now goodbye! Now goodbye!
(Entfernen sich) (Exeunt, in opposite (Exeunt, in opposite

directions.) directions.)
________________________ ________________________
Das Theater verwandelt sich in A large room with many doors. A large room with many doors.
einen Saal mit vielen Türen.
Papageno (von aussen): Papageno (from without): Papageno (from without):

Tamino! Tamino! Willst du Tamino! Tamino! Have you Tamino! Tamino! Have you
mich denn gänzlich verlassen? abandoned me completely? abandoned me completely?
(Er sucht herein.) (He comes inside, searching.) (He comes inside, searching.)
Wenn ich nur wenigstens If I just knew where I was.-- If I just knew where I was.--
wüßte, wo ich wäre. - Tamino! Tamino! Tamino, I promise, I Tamino! Tamino, I promise, I
Tamino, solang ich lebe, geh' won’t leave you again as long won’t leave you again as long
ich nicht mehr von dir! Aber as I live! Just this once, please as I live! Just this once, please
dies einmal verlaß mich armen don’t leave your poor don’t leave your poor
Reisegefährten nicht! companion here! companion here!
(Er kommt an die Türe, wo (He comes to the door, out of (He comes to the door, out of
Tamino abgeführt worden ist.) which Tamino was led.) which Tamino was led.)
Eine Stimme (ruft): Voice (with commanding tone): Voice (with commanding tone):

Barmherzige Götter! Wo wend' Merciful gods! Where have I Merciful gods! Where have I
ich mich hin! Wenn ich nur lost myself? If I could only lost myself? If I could only
wüßte, wo ich hereinkam. figure out where I came in. figure out where I came in.
(Er kommt an die Türe, wo er (He comes to the doors where (He comes to the doors where
hereinkam) he entered.) he entered.)
Die Stimme: Voice: Voice:


Nun kann ich weder vorwärts Now I can go neither forward Now I can go neither forward
noch zurück! nor backward! nor backward!
(weint) (Cries) (Cries)
Und muß am Ende gar And I will finally starve to And I will finally starve to
verhungern. - Geschieht mir death here. Serves me right! death here. Serves me right!
schon recht! - Warum bin ich Why did I come along on this Why did I come along on this
denn auch mitgereist? trip? trip?
(Der Sprecher tritt ihm (Enter the Speaker, opposite (Enter the Speaker, opposite
entgegen) him.) him.)

Mensch! Du hättest verdient, You! You would have deserved You! You would have deserved
auf immer in finsteren Klüften to wander forever in the darkest to wander forever in the darkest
der Erde zu wandern; die crevices of the earth. However, crevices of the earth. However,
gütigen Götter aber entlassen the kind gods have stayed your the kind gods have stayed your
dich der Strafe dich. Dafür aber punishment. Nevertheless, punishment. Nevertheless,
wirst du das himmlische because of this, you shall never because of this, you shall never
Vergnügen der Eingeweihten feel the heavenly joy of the feel the heavenly joy of the
nie fühlen. initiated ones. initiated ones.

Je nun, es gibt ja noch andere Yeah, and there are many other Yeah, and there are many
Leute meinesgleichen! - Mir people like me! Right now, a other people like me! Right
wäre jetzt ein gutes Glas Wein good glass of wine would be now, a good glass of wine
das größte Vergnügen. my greatest joy. would be my greatest joy.

Sonst hast du keinen Wunsch in You have no other wish in this You have no other wish in this
dieser Welt? world? world?

Bis jetzt nicht. Not so far. Not so far.

Man wird dich damit bedienen! That will be attended to! We can handle that!
(Ab. Sogleich kommt ein großer (Exit Speaker. Immediately, a (Exit Speaker. Immediately, a
Becher, mit rotem Wein large pitcher, full of red wine, large pitcher, full of red wine,
angefüllt, aus der Erde.) appears out of the earth.) appears out of the earth.)

Ach! Da ist er ja schon! Oh! There it is, just like that! There it is, just like that!
(trinkt) (He drinks.) (He drinks.)
Herrlich! Himmlisch! Göttlich! Wonderful! Heavenly! Divine! Wonderful! Heavenly! Divine!

- Ha! Ich bin jetzt so vergnügt, Ha! I am now so happy, I could Ha! I am now so happy, I could
daß ich bis zur Sonne fliegen fly up to the sun if I had wings! fly up to the sun if I had wings!
könnte, wenn ich Flügel hätte! Ha! I have such a wonderful Ha! I have such a wonderful
Ha! Mir wird so wunderlich feeling in my heart! I want...I feeling in my heart! I want...I
ums Herz! Ich möchte - ich wish...yes what, then? wish...yes what, then?
wünschte - ja, was denn?
20. Arie 20 Aria 20 Aria
(schlägt sein Glockenspiel): (He plays on his bells while (He plays on his bells while
singing.) singing.)
Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen Papageno wishes to have a I’ve always felt this yearning
Wünscht Papageno sich! maiden or little woman for To love a pretty lass;
O so ein sanftes Täubchen himself. Such a gentle little Each night to be returning
Wär' Seligkeit für mich! dove would be bliss for me! To peace and happiness.
Food and drink would taste
Dann schmeckte mir Trinken good again; I could measure My dinner would be more
und Essen, myself against kings! I’d enjoy delicious;
Dann könnt' ich mit Fürsten lifelike a wise man, and it Each second of life would be
mich messen, would be as if I were in precious;
Des Lebens als Weiser mich Elysium! I’d feel as serene as a sage,
freun, Papageno wishes to have a And strut on a heavenly stage!
Und wie im Elysium sein! maiden or little woman for
himself. Such a gentle little
Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen dove would be bliss for me! I’ve always felt this lomging
Wünscht Papageno sich! Oh, can’t I appeal to any of the For one to call my own;
O so ein sanftes Täubchen pretty girls? Unless someone To whom I’d feel belonging,
Wär' Seligkeit für mich! helps me out of this An anchor, and a home.
predicament, I’ll pine myself to
Ach, kann ich denn keiner von death! Oh, can’t I be noticed by any
allen Papageno wishes to have a Young beauty? Oh, there are so
Den reizenden Mädchen maiden or little woman for many!
gefallen? himself. Such a gentle little If none of them reach out to
Helf' eine mir nur aus der Not, dove would be bliss for me! me,
Sonst gräm' ich mich wahrlich If no one grants me love, then I’ll pine away surely, you see.
zu Tod! the flames must consume me!
But if a woman’s mouth kisses So often have I wondered
Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen me, I’ll be well again! How love might come to me;
Wünscht Papageno sich! Perhaps a jolt like thunder,
O so ein sanftes Täubchen Perhaps more quietly.
Wär' Seligkeit für mich!
If none of them give me
Wird keine mir Liebe affection,
gewähren, I’ll die of the pain of rejection;
So muß mich die Flamme A kiss,and a chance to unite,
verzehren! And that will set everything
Doch küßt mich ein weiblicher right.
Mund,
So bin ich schon wieder
gesund!
(Die Alte, tanzend und auf (Enter the Old Woman, dancing (Enter the Old Woman, dancing
ihren Stock dabei sich stützend, and leaning on her cane.) and leaning on her cane.)
kommt herein.)

Da bin ich schon, mein Engel! Here I am, my angel! Here I am, my angel!

Was, du hast dich meiner What’s this–You’ve taken pity What’s this–You’ve taken pity
erbarmt? on me? on me?


Na, das ist ein Glück! Well, that’s a happy thing! Well, that’s a happy thing!

Und wenn du mir versprichst, And when you promise, always And when you promise, always
mir ewig treu zu bleiben, dann to be true to me, you’ll see how to be true to me, you’ll see how
sollst du sehen, wie zärtlich tenderly your little woman can tenderly your little woman can
dein Weibchen dich lieben love you. love you.
wird.

Ei, du zärtliches Närrchen! Well, well, you love-lorn little Well, well, you love-lorn little
thing! thing!

O. wie will ich dich umarmen, Oh, how I want to embrace you, Oh, how I want to embrace you,
dich liebkosen, dich an mein caress you, press you to my caress you, press you to my
Herz drücken! heart! heart!

Auch ans Herz drücken? Press me to your heart,too? Press me to your heart,too?

Komm, reich mir zum Pfand Come, give me your hand as Come, give me your hand as
unsers Bundes deine Hand! pledge of our bond. pledge of our bond.

Nur nicht so hastig, mein lieber Not so fast, my dear angel! Not so fast, my dear angel!
Engel! So ein Bündnis braucht Such a commitment needs Such a commitment needs
doch auch seine Überlegung. careful consideration. careful consideration.

Papageno, ich rate dir, zaudre Papageno, I advise you, don’t Papageno, I advise you, don’t
nicht! - Deine Hand, oder du hesitate! Your hand–or you’ll hesitate! Your hand–or you’ll
b ist auf immer h ier be imprisoned here for all be imprisoned here for all
eingekerkert. eternity! eternity!

Eingekerkert? Imprisoned? Imprisoned?

Wasser und Brot wird deine Bread and water will be your You’ll get only bread to eat and
tägliche Kost sein. Ohne daily fare. You’ll have to live water to drink. You’ll have to
Freund, ohne Freundin mußt du alone and without friends, and live alone and without friends,
leben, und der Welt auf immer renounce the world forever. and renounce the world forever.
entsagen.

Wasser trinken? Der Welt Drink water? Renounce the Drink only water? Renounce
entsagen? Nein, da will ich world forever? No, then I’d the world forever? No, then I’d
doch lieber eine Alte nehmen, rather take an old one than rather take an old one than
als gar keine. - Also gut, da hast none at all–Fine, then, here you none at all–Fine, then, here you
du meine Hand mit der have my hand with the promise have my hand with the promise
Versicherung, daß ich dir that I’ll stay true to you forever that I’ll stay true to you forever
immer getreu bleibe.(für sich) (aside, sotto voce) as long as I (aside, sotto voce) as long as I
solang ich keine Schönere sehe. don’t see a prettier one. don’t see a prettier one.

Das schwörst du? You swear? You swear?

Ja, das schwör' ich! Yes, I swear! Yes, I swear!
(Das Weib verwandelt sich in (The Old Woman is (The Old Woman is
ein junges Weib, welches transformed into a young transformed into a young
ebenso gekleidet ist, wie woman [Papagena], clothed woman [Papagena], clothed
Papageno). similarly to Papageno.) similarly to Papageno.)
Papagena: Papagena: Papagena:


Papagena! - Papagena! Papagena!
(Er will sie umarmen.) (He attempts to embrace her.) (He attempts to embrace her.)
Sprecher (kommt und nimmt The Speaker (entering, and The Speaker (entering, and
sie hastig bei der Hand): taking Papagena quickly by the taking Papagena quickly by the
Fort mit dir, junges Weib! Er ist hand): Away with you, young hand): Away with you, young
deiner noch nicht würdig! woman! He is not yet worthy of woman! He is not yet worthy of
Zurück! sag ich. you! (To Papageno) you! (To Papageno)
Get back, I say! Get back, I say!

Was heißt, bitte... Could you please explain.. Could you please explain..
Sprecher (Er schleppt sie The Speaker (dragging her The Speaker (dragging her
hinein, Papageno will ihr away, as Papageno tries to away, as Papageno tries to
nach): follow): follow):
Zurück, sag ich! Oder zittre! Back off, I say, or tremble [at Back off, I say, or tremble at
the consequences]! the consequences!

So ich mich zurückziehe, soll If I keep turning back, the earth If I keep turning back, the earth
m i c h d o c h d i e E r d e will swallow me up! will swallow me up!
verschlingen.
(Er sinkt hinab.) (He sinks into the earth.) (He sinks into the earth.)
Oh! Oh! Oh!
________________________ ________________________
Das Theater verwandelt sich in An intimate garden. An intimate garden.

einer kurzen Garten.
(Die Drei Knaben fahren (The Three Boys descend from (The Three Boys descend from
herunter.) above.) above.)
21. Finale 21. Finale 21. Finale
[21a. Quartett] [21a. Quartet] [21a. Quartet]

Bald prangt, den Morgen zu Soon the sun, proclaiming the The sun, in heralding the
verkünden, morning, shall commence on its morning,
Die Sonn auf goldner Bahn. golden way. Soon superstition Begins its golden way.
Bald soll der Aberglaube shall vanish. Soon the wise man Soon superstition will be
schwinden, shall triumph. O glorious peace, fading,
Bald siegt der weise Mann. descend, return to men’s hearts; And sages will have their day.
O holde Ruhe, steig' hernieder, then the earth will become a When peace descends to earth
Kehr' in der Menschen Herzen heavenly kingdom, and mortals to bless them,
wieder; as the gods. And when its healing wings
Dann ist die Erd' ein caress them;
Himmelreich, Then mortals taste divinity,
Und Sterbliche den Göttern And paradise will bloom on
gleich. earth.
Erster Knabe: First Boy: First Boy:

Doch seht, Verzweiflung quält But look, despair torments But look, Pamina is despairing!
Paminen! Pamina!
Zweiter Knabe, Dritter Second and Third Boys: Second and Third Boys:
Knabe: Where is she then? Where is she then?
Wo ist sie denn?
Erster Knabe: First Boy: First Boy:

Sie ist von Sinnen! She is out of her senses! She’s acting crazy!

Sie quält verschmähter Liebe She is tormented by the Rejection’s pain has overcome
Leiden. suffering of scorned love. her;
Laßt uns der Armen Trost Let us prepare consolation for We need to do our best to calm
bereiten! the poor girl! her.
Fürwahr, ihr Schicksal geht uns Truly, her fate approaches us! We hold her future in our
nah! O, if only her young man were hands;
O wäre nur ihr Jüngling da! here! If only she could understand!
Sie kommt, laßt uns beiseite She comes; let us go there, so She’s coming now; let’s step
gehn, we may see what she is doing. aside
Damit wir, was sie mache, And wait to see what she
sehn. decides.
(Sie gehen beiseite. Pamina (They station themselves on the (They station themselves on the
kommt, halb wahnwitzig, mit side. Enter Pamina, half- side. Enter Pamina, half-
einem Dolch in der Hand.) crazed, with a dagger in her crazed, with a dagger in her
hand.) hand.)
Pamina (zum Dolch): Pamina (to the dagger): Pamina (to the dagger):
Du also bist mein Bräutigam? So you are my bridegroom? By You’re all I’ve left; it’s really
Durch dich vollend' ich meinen you I shall end my sorrow. true.
Gram. I’ll end my sorrow embracing
you..
Drei Knaben (beiseite): Three Boys (aside): Three Boys (aside):

Welch dunkle Worte sprach sie What dark words did she speak These things she’s saying make
da? there? it plain:
Die Arme ist dem Wahnsinn The poor girl is near insanity. Poor girl, she’s nearly gone
nah. insane.

Geduld, mein Trauter, ich bin Patience, my beloved, I am Hold on, beloved, I am yours;
dein; yours; [1,2,3]Now very soon
{Bald werden wir} vermählet Soon we shall be united. [4]We’ll consummate
sein. our holy bond.

Wahnsinn tobt ihr im Gehirne; Madness rages in her brain; She has fallen into madness;
Selbstmord steht auf ihrer suicide is written on her face. She will kill herself in sadness.
Stirne.
(zu Pamina) (To Pamina) (to Pamina)
Holdes Mädchen, sieh uns an! Fair maiden, look at us! Fair Pamina, look at us!

Sterben will ich, weil der I want to die because the man I will die now, for the one
Mann, whom I can never again hate Who had promised he would
Den ich nimmermehr kann can abandon his beloved. save me,
hassen, Has decided to leave me.
\Sein Traute kann verlassen.
(auf den Dolch zeigend) (Indicating the dagger) (Indicating the dagger)
Dies gab meine Mutter mir. My mother gave me this. Mother gave me this to use.

Selbstmord strafet Gott an dir! The gods will punish you for You’ll be punished by the O.T., R.T.,S.T.: Schikaneder
suicide! gods! uses “Gott”, implying the God
of the monotheistic Judaeo-
Pamina: Pamina: Pamina: Christian tradition, rather
Lieber durch dies Eisen Better that I die by this blade Better that this blade erase me than “die Götter” (the gods),
sterben, than be corrupted by the sorrow Than let misery debase me! even though the characters
Al s d u r c h Li e b e s g r a m of love! Mother, I suffer Mother, my sorrow grows are otherwise depicted as
verderben! because of you, and your curse worse, subscribing to the polytheistic
Mutter, durch dich leide ich, haunts me! For I can’t escape your curse! Egytian faith. Since the
Und dein Fluch verfolget mich! libretto is otherwise consistent
on this point, my best guess is
Drei Knaben: Three Boys: Three Boys: that this was a slip-up on
Mädchen, willst du mit uns Maiden, will you come with us? Fair one, won’t you come with Schikaneder’s part; thus, I
gehn? us? have rectified it in translation.

Ha, des Jammers Maß ist voll! Oh, the cup of wailing is full! This is now my time to die!
Falscher Jüngling, lebe wohl! Faithless boy, goodbye! See Faithless lover, now goodbye!
Sieh, Pamina, ach! stirbt durch now, Pamina dies because of You abandon me with this
dich, you; dagger, kill me! knife-----
Dieses Eisen töte mich! Now this blade will end my
life!
(Sie holt mit der Hand aus, um (She extends her arm with the (She extends her arm with the
sich zu erstechen.) dagger and prepares to stab dagger and prepares to stab
herself to death.) herself to death.)
Drei Knaben (halten ihr den Three Boys (restraining her): Three Boys (restraining her):
Arm): Unhappy one, stop! If your Think what you’re about to do!
Ha, Unglückliche, halt ein! young man could see you, he If Tamino could see this horror,
Sollte dies dein Jüngling sehen, would die of grief, for he loves He would surely die of sorrow;
Würde er vor Gram vergehen; you alone. For his heart belongs to you.
Denn er liebet dich allein.
Pamina (erholt sich): Pamina (regaining Pamina (regaining

Was? Er fühlte Gegenliebe, composure): composure):
Und verbarg mir seine Triebe, What? He felt love also, yet hid If it’s really true he feels it,
Wandte sein Gesicht vor mir? his feelings from me, turning Tell me why he would conceal
Warum sprach er nicht mit mir? his face away? Why wouldn’t it.
he talk to me? Tell me why he turned away.
Why would he not speak to me?

Dieses müßen wir We must be silent about this, We are not allowed to tell you;
verschweigen, but we do wish to show him to But we’ve something now to
Doch wir wollen dir ihn zeigen! you; and you will see, to your show you:
Und du wirst mit Staunen sehn, surprise, that he has given his It will take your breath away \
Daß er dir sein Herz geweiht, heart to you, and that, on your How attached to you he is–
Und den Tod für dich nicht behalf, he does not fear even He would gladly die for you.
scheut. death. Come, we shall go to Now come on, let’s go and find
Komm, wir wollen zu ihm him. him.
gehen.

Führt mich hin, ich möcht' ihn Lead me on; I want to see him! Take me there; I need to see
seh'n! him!
Alle: All: All:

Zwei Herzen, die von Liebe The puny power of man can The puny power of man can
brennen, never separate two hearts which never
Kann Menschenohnmacht burn with love. Their enemies’ Keep loving hearts from being
niemals trennen. efforts are in vain; the gods together.
Verloren ist der Feinde Müh', themselves protect them. Though enemies may try their
Die Götter selbst schützen sie. best,
The gods protect togetherness..
(Gehen alle ab.) (Exeunt omnes.) (Exeunt omnes.)
________________________ ________________________
Das Theater verwandelt sich in A scene with two high A scene with two high
zwei große Berge; in dem mountains; on the one mountains; on the one
einenein Wasserfall, worin man mountainside is a waterfall mountainside is a waterfall
Sausen und Brausen hört; der whose foaming and thundering whose foaming and thundering
andere speit Feuer aus; jeder is clearly audible, while the is clearly audible, while the
Berg hat ein durchbrochenes other mountain spews fire. other mountain spews fire.
Gegitter, worin man Feuer und Ea ch mountain has a Ea ch mo untain has a
Wasser sieht; da, wo das Feuer perforated grate, beyond which perforated grate, beyond which
brennt, muß der Horizont fire and water, respectively, are fire and water, respectively, are
hellrot sein, und wo das Wasser visible. Where the fire burns, visible. Where the fire burns,
ist, liegt schwarzer the horizon is tinted bright red; the horizon is tinted bright red;
Nebel. Die Szenen sind Felsen, the water is obscured by dark the water is obscured by dark
jede Szene schließt sich mit mist. A pyramid stands in the mist. A pyramid stands in the
einer eisernen Tür. middle background next to the middle background next to the
fire grate. fire grate.
************** **************
(Tamino ist leicht angezogen, Tamino, lightly dressed and Tamino, lightly dressed and
ohne Sandalen. Zwei without sandals, is led in by without sandals, is led in by
schwarzgeharnischte Männer two men in black armor. Fire two men in black armor. Fire
führen Tamino herein. Auf burns atop their helmets; they burns atop their helmets; they
ihren Helmen brennt Feuer; sie read to him, in the following read to him, in the following
lesen ihm die transparente piece, the transparent writing piece, the transparent writing
Schrift vor, welche auf einer on the pyramid. on the pyramid.
Pyramide geschrieben steht,
diese Pyramide steht in der
Mitte ganz in der Höhe, nahe
dem Gitter.)
[21b. Q ua r t e t t mi t [21b. Quartet with Chorale- [21b. Quartet with Chorale-

Choralvorspiel] prelude] prelude]
Die zwei Geharnischten: Armored Men: Armored Men:

Der, welcher wandert diese He who wanders this path of Whoever braves the gnarly way
Straße voll Beschwerden, trial shall be made pure through beyond these portals,
Wird rein durch Feuer, Wasser, fire, water, air, and earth. If he Made pure through air and fire,
Luft und Erden; can overcome the fear of death, earth and water,
Wenn er des Todes Schrecken he shall vault from the earth Confronting fear and death
überwinden kann, into heaven. Enlightened, he successfully,
Schwingt er sich aus der Erde shall be inspired to dedicate Transcends the bounds of his
himmelan. himself completely to the mortality.
Erleuchtet wird er dann im mysteries of Isis. He then will see the world in
Stande sein, newfound ways,
Sich den Mysterien der Isis Studying the mysteries of Isis
ganz zu weih'n. all his days.

Mich schreckt kein Tod, als No death frightens me from I stand beyond all fear of dying
Mann zu handeln, acting as a man, treading forth When it’s the righteous way
Den Weg d er Tu gend on the path of virtue. Open the I’m plying;
fortzuwandeln. gates of terror for me; I shall Cast wide the doors of dread
Schließt mir die gladly dare to walk the bold for me;
Schreckenspforten auf, walk. Now I embrace my destiny.
Ich wage froh den kühnen Lauf.
Pamina (von innen): Pamina (offstage): Pamina (offstage):

Tamino, halt! Ich muß dich Tamino, wait! I must see you! Tamino, wait! I’m coming, too!
sehn.
Was hör ich? Paminens What do I hear–Pamina’s I heard that– is that Pamina?
Stimme? voice?
Die Geharnischten: Armored Men: Armored Men:

Ja, ja, das ist Paminens Stimme. Yes, yes, that is Pamina’s Indeed, that voice must be
voice. Pamina’s.
Alle: All: All:

Wohl mir/dir, nun kann sie mit Oh, good; now she may go with Rejoice; now she may go with
mir/dir geh'n, me/you. Now no fate shall us/you.
Nun trennet uns/euch kein separate us/you again, even if We/you will not have to
Schicksal mehr, death were summoned! separate again.
Wenn auch der Tod beschieden Not even death will part us/you
wär! now.

Ist mir erlaubt, mit ihr zu Am I allowed to speak to her? Am I permitted to address her?
sprechen?
Die Geharnischten: Armored Men: Armored men:

Dir ist erlaubt, mit ihr zu You are allowed to speak to Yes, you’re permitted to
sprechen. her. address her.
Alle: All: All:

Welch Glück, wenn wir What happiness, to meet each What happiness to meet again,
uns/euch wiederseh'n. other again, happily hand in And reach the temple hand in
Froh Hand in Hand ins Tempel hand to enter the temple. A hand!
geh'n! woman who is not frightened Who takes both night and death
Ein Weib, das Nacht und Tod by night and death is worthy, in stride
nicht scheut, and shall be admitted [to the Is worthy to be purified.
Ist würdig und wird eingeweiht. blessed order].
(Die Tür wird aufgemacht; (The door is opened; Tamino The door is opened; Tamino
Tamino und Pamina and Pamina embrace.) and Pamina embrace.)
umarmen sich.)

Tamino mein! O welch ein My Tamino! What happiness! Tamino here! What happiness!
Glück!

Pamina mein! O welch ein My Pamina! What happiness! Pamina here! What happiness!
Glück! Here are the gates of terror, With deadly promise yonder
H i e r s i n d d i e which threaten me with death The dark gate beckons wide.
Schreckenspforten, and distress.
Die Not und Tod mir dräu'n.

Ich werde aller Orten I will be at your side Wherever you must wander,
An deiner Seite sein; everywhere. I will lead you You’ll find me at your side.
Ich selbsten führe dich, myself; love will guide me. I’ll be your guide myself,
Die Liebe leitet mich! As I am led by love!
(Sie nimmt ihn bei der Hand.) (She takes his hand.) (She takes his hand.)
Sie mag den Weg mit Rosen It will strew our path with And love will strew our path
streun, roses, for roses always have with roses
Weil Rosen stets bei Dornen thorns. Play the magic flute; it (Remember, roses all have
sein. will protect us on our journey. thorns);
Spiel du die Zauberflöte an; My father carved it out of the So take the magic flute and
Sie schütze uns auf uns'rer deepest parts of a thousand- play;
Bahn. year-old oak in a magical hour, Its sound will shield us on our
Es schnitt in einer with thunder, lightning, storm, way.
Zauberstunde and roaring wind all about. My father, in a magic moment,
Mein Vater sie aus tiefstem Now, come on and play the Once carved it, of the toughest
Grunde flute; it shall lead us on our heartwood
Der tausendjähr'gen Eiche aus, grim way. Extracted from an ancient oak
Bei Blitz und Donner, Sturm As thunder crashed and
und Braus. mountains shook.
Nun komm und spiel' die Flöte So lift it to your lips and play,
an, That it may lead us on our way.
Sie leite uns auf grauser Bahn.
Alle: All: All:

Wir wandeln (Ihr wandelt) We/you may proceed because We/you ride the wind of
durch des Tones Macht of the sound’s power, happily music’s breath
Froh durch des Todes düstre through the gloomy night of Happily through the night of
Nacht. death. death.
(Die Türen werden nach ihnen (The gates are shut behind (The gates are shut behind
zugeschlagen; man sieht them; Tamino and Pamina are them; Tamino and Pamina are
Tamino und Pamina wandern; seen to go forth; howling wind seen to go forth; howling wind
man hört Feuergeprassel and the crackling of fire is and the crackling of fire is
und Windgeheul, manchmal heard, along with the heard, along with the
auch den Ton dumpfen intermittent sounds of muffled intermittent sounds of muffled
Donners und thunder and rushing water. thunder and rushing water.
Wassergeräusch. Tamino bläst Tamino plays his flute; muffled Tamino plays his flute; muffled
seine Flöte; drums accompany him now and drums accompany him now and
gedämpfte Pauken then. As soon as they emerge then. As soon as they emerge
akkompagnieren manchmal from the fire, Tamino and from the fire, Tamino and
darunter. Sobald sie vom Pamina embrace and pause Pamina embrace and pause
Feuer herauskommen, center-stage.) center-stage.)
umarmen sie sich und bleiben
in der Mitte.)

Wir wandelten durch We have passed through the We found the courage not to
Feuersgluten, fire’s heat, courageously falter;
Bekämpften mutig die Gefahr. battling the danger; let your Through sound the blaze was
Dein Ton sei Schutz in [the flute’s] sound be a shield rendered tame.
Wasserfluten, in the water’s floods, as it was Now may it guard us from the
So wie er es im Feuer war. in the fire. water
As well as from the roaring
flame.
(Tamino bläst; man sieht sie (Tamino plays; we see the two (Tamino plays; we see the two
hinuntersteigen und nach of them go down and, after a of them go down and, after a
einiger Zeit wieder while, reemerge. At this point, while, reemerge. At this point,
heraufkommen; sogleich öffnet a door opens; beyond, a a door opens; beyond, a
sicheine Türe; man sieht einen brilliantly lit temple entrance is brilliantly lit temple entrance is
Eingang in einen Tempel, visible. For a moment, there is visible. For a moment, there is
welcher hell beleuchtet ist. Eine solemn silence. This scene must solemn silence. This scene must
feierliche Stille. Dieser Anblick portray a most perfect glory. portray a most perfect glory.
muß den vollkommensten Glanz Presently, the chorus is heard Presently, the chorus is heard
darstellen. Sogleich fällt der with trumpets and drums, but with trumpets and drums, but
Chor mitPauken und first Tamino and Pamina.) first Tamino and Pamina.)
Trompeten ein. Zuvor aber
Tamino und Pamina.)
Ihr Gö tter, welch ein You gods, what a moment! Oh, gods, what joy could rival
Augenblick! Isis’s happiness is granted us! this?
Gewähret ist uns Isis' Glück! Now Isis grants us happiness!
[21c. Chor] [21c. Chorus] [21c. Chorus]
Chor (von innen): Chorus (offstage) Chorus (offstage):

Triumph! Triumph! Du edles Victory! Victory! You noble Rejoice! Rejoice!The danger’s
Paar! pair! You have vanquished the past,
Besieget hast du die Gefahr! peril! Isis’s consecration is now So savor victory at last!
Der Isis Weihe ist nun dein! yours! Come, enter the temple! Your consecration now is
Kommt, {tretet in den Tempel sealed!
ein!} Come,
[1]Now the temple door awaits;
[2]Isis’ truth will be revealed.
(Alle ab.) (Exeunt omnes.) (Exeunt omnes.)

________________________
Das Theater verwandelt sich We see the garden scene we We see the garden scene we
wieder in den vorigen Garten. saw before. saw before.
(Papageno kommt, dann die (Papageno enters, then the (Papageno enters, then the
drei Knaben, zuletzt Three Boys; finally, Papagena.) Three Boys; finally, Papagena.)
Papagena.)
[21d. Quintett] [21d. Quintet] [21d. Quintet]

Papagena! Papagena! Papagena! Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!
Papagena! Papagena! My little love! My Papagena!
Weibchen! Täubchen! meine little dove! ...It’s no use! Oh, Sweetheart! Bumkin! Little
Schöne! she is lost! I am born to sorrow! darling!
Vergebens! Ach, sie ist I chattered, and that was bad, so It’s useless! Darn! She’s not
verloren! I got what I deserved! Since I returning!
Ich bin zum Unglück schon tasted this wine, since I saw the I’m such a loser, never
geboren! beautiful maiden, a little learning!
Ich plauderte - und das war chamber in my heart has been I talked too much–that wasn’t
schlecht, on fire, pinching me here, bright,
Und {drum geschieht es mir hurting me there. Papagena, And so
schon recht!} love of my heart! Papagena, my [1]what happened served me
Seit ich gekostet diesen Wein, dear little dove!... It’s no good, right,
Seit ich das schöne Weibchen it’s futile–I’m tired of my life! [2]yes, it really served me right.
sah, Death puts a stop to love when Since I first saw her and
So br en n t 's im your heart burns like this. admired,
Herzenskämmerlein, Since I first tasted such a wine,
So zwickt's hier, so zwickt's da. Something inside me’s been on
Papagena! Herzensweibchen! fire,
Papagena, liebes Täubchen! Scorching me here, burning me
's ist umsonst, es ist vergebens! there.
Müde bin ich meines Lebens! Papagena, little lovekin,
Sterben macht der Lieb' ein Papagena, turtledovekin!
End', It’s no use! It’s well past
Wenn's im Herzen noch so saving;
brennt. This is it–I’m tired of living!
If I have to feel like this,
Only death can give release.
(Er nimmt den Strick von seiner (He takes a noose from around He takes a noose from around
Mitte) his waist.) his waist, tying one end to a
branch of a tree .)
Diesen Baum da will ich zieren, I will adorn this tree over here, Here you’ll see me slowly
Mir an ihm den Hals so I may hang myself, for life swinging,
zuschnüren, doesn’t agree with me. Good Here you’ll see my body
Weil das Leben mir mißfällt; night, you false world. Because hanging,
Gute Nacht, du falsche Welt. you mistreated me, granting me Life just isn’t any fun,
Weil du böse an mir handelst, no pretty one, it’s all over, I’ll So goodbye, you nasty world.
Mir kein schönes Kind die now; pretty girl, think of Since you treated me so badly,
zubandelst, me! Will anyone take pity on Taking what I cherished gladly,
So ist's aus, so sterbe ich; poor me, before I hang myself? Now it’s time for me to die;
{Schöne Mädchen, denkt an Let it be now: Just say “yes” or [1]Papagena, now goodbye;
mich,} “no”.... [2]Think of me, remember why.
- Will sich eine um mich -If there’s anyone around me
Armen, Who is waiting to astound me
Eh' ich hänge, noch erbarmen, With compassion, speak out
Nun, so laß ich's diesmal sein! now!
Rufet nur, ja oder nein. - Just reply, say “yes” or “no”...
(Sieht sich um.) (He looks around.) (He looks around.)
Keine hört mich; alles stille! No one hears me; it’s all quiet! No one hears me, not a
Also ist es euer Wille? So is it your will then? whisper!
Papageno, frisch hinauf! Papageno, hustle up there; go So that’s really what you want,
Ende deinen Lebenslauf! on and end it all. then?
Papageno, take the dive;
It is time to end your life!
(Sieht sich um.) (He looks around again.) (He looks around again.)
Nun, ich warte noch, es sei, Well, I’m still waiting; I’ll wait I’m still waiting here, you see,
Bis man zählet: eins, zwei, drei. until I count one, two, three. Speak up before I count to
three.
(Pfeift.) (He blows on his pipes.) (He blows on his pipes.)
Eins! One! One!
(Sieht sich um, pfeift) (He looks around, then blows (He looks around, then blows
again.) again.)
Zwei! Two! Two!
(Sieht sich um, pfeift) (He looks around, then blows (He looks around, then blows
again.) again.)
Drei! Three! Three!
(Sieht sich um) (He looks around.) (He looks around.)
Nun, wohlan, es bleibt dabei, Well, that’s just the way it’s So that’s how it has to be;
Weil mich nichts zurücke hält, going to be. Since nothing is Now there’s nothing stopping
Gute Nacht, du falsche Welt! holding me back, good night, me;
false world. And this jump will set me free!
(Will sich hängen.) (He starts to hang himself.) (He starts to hang himself.)
Drei Knaben ( f a h r e n Three Boys (descending from Three Boys (descending from
herunter): above): above):
Halt ein, o Papageno! und sei Stop, O Papageno! and be Hold on now, Papageno, use
klug, smart, you only live once and your head:
Man lebt nur einmal, dies sei that should be enough for you! There’ll be no hope for you if
dir genug! you are dead!

Ihr habt gut reden, habt gut You talk a smooth line and kid Your line of talk sure sounds
scherzen; around, but if your hearts were appealing;
Doch brennt' es euch, wie mich on fire like mine, you would But if you felt the loss I’m
im Herzen, chase girls, too. feeling,
Ihr würdet auch nach Mädchen You’d understand the state I’m
gehn. in.

So lasse deine Glöckchen Then let your little bells ring So set your magic bells to
klingen, out; that will bring your little ringing;
Dies wird dein Weibchen zu dir woman to you. Just let them play, and they will
bringen. bring her.

Ich Narr vergaß der Fool that I am, I forgot the I’m such a dummy, I forgot
Zauberdinge! magic thing! Ring out, little them!
Erklinge, Gl o c k e n s p i el, bells, ring out! I must see my You little bells, now get to
erklinge! dear girl. Ring, little bells, ring, ringing,
Ich muß mein liebes Mädchen bring my girl here! Ring, little I need to see my darling now.
seh'n. bells, ring, fetch my little Little bells, start ringing;
Klinget, Glöckchen, klinget, woman here! Fetch my sweetheart here!
Schafft mein Mädchen her! Set this place to singing!
Klinget, Glöckchen, klinget! Bring my darling here.
Bringt mein Weibchen her. Bring her here, I want her here.
Bringt sie her, mein Weibchen
her.
(Unter diesem Schlagen laufen (While he is singing, the Three (While he is singing, the Three
die Drei Knaben zu ihrem Boys go to their flying platform Boys go to their flying platform
Flugwerk und bringen das and return with Papagena, who and return with Papagena, who
Weib heraus.) has been concealed there.) has been concealed there.)

Nun, Papageno, sieh dich um! Now, Papageno, look around Now, Papageno, turn around!
you!
(Papageno sieht sich um; beide (Papageno looks around; (Papageno looks around;
haben unter dem Ritornell during the ritornello, he and during the ritornello, he and
komisches Spiel.) Papagena, sighting each other, Papagena, sighting each other,
enact a comical pantomime.) enact a comical pantomime.)

Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-Papagena! Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-Papagena! Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-Papagena!

Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-Papageno! Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-Papageno! Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-Papageno!

Bist du mir nun ganz gegeben? Are you now completely mine? May we celebrate together?

Nun, bin ich dir ganz gegeben! I am now completely yours. We may celebrate together.

Nun, so sei mein liebes Well, be my little wife, then! Make me glad beyond all
Weibchen! measure!

Nun, so sei m e i n Well, be my heart’s little dove, You will be the one I treasure!
Herzenstäubchen! then!
Beide: Both: Both:

Welche Freude wird das sein, What happiness it would be, if Think how happy we will be,
Wenn die Götter uns bedenken, the gods would decide to If the gods decide to bless us
Unsrer Liebe Kinder schenken, bestow children on our love, With the patter, hugs, and
So liebe, kleine Kinderlein! such darling little children! kisses
That mark a lively family!

Erst einen kleinen Papageno- First a little Papageno.... First comes a little Papageno....

Dann eine kleine Papagena- Then a little Papagena... Then comes a little Papagena...

Dann wieder einen Papageno- Then a Papageno again... Then once again a Papageno...

Dann wieder eine Papagena- Then a Papagena again... Then once again a Papagena...


Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!

Es ist das höchste der Gefühle, It will be the height of There is no greater happiness
Wenn viele, viele Papageno, happiness, if many, many Than many little Papagenos
Der Eltern Segen werden sein. Papagenos become the blessing Surrounding us to bless our
of their parents. days.

Es ist das höchste der Gefühle, It will be the height of There is no greater happiness
Wenn viele, viele Papagena, happiness, if many, many Than many little Papagenas
Der Eltern Segen werden sein. Papagenas become the blessing Surrounding us to bless our
of their parents. days.
(Sie gehen ab.) (Exeunt.) (Exeunt.)
________________________ ________________________
(Monostatos kommt. Die (Enter Monostatos, the Queen (Enter Monostatos, the Queen
Königin und die Drei Damen of the Night, and the Three of the Night, and the Three
kommen von beiden Ladies, out of the gloom, Ladies, out of the gloom,
Versenkungen; sie tragen carrying black torches in their carrying black torches in their
schwarze Fackeln in der hands.) hands.)
Hand.)

Nur stille, stille, stille, Now hush, hush, hush, we will Remember, sneaky, silent,
Bald dringen wir im Tempel presently penetrate the temple. stealthy
ein. As we approach the temple
door.
Alle: All: All:

Nur stille, stille, stille, Now hush, hush, hush, we will We will be sneaky, silent,
Bald dringen wir im Tempel presently penetrate the temple. stealthy
ein. As we approach the temple
door.

Doch, Fürstin, halte Wort! But Queen, keep your promise! Your Majesty, I heard,
Erfülle - dein Kind muß meine Remember: your child must be You promised, I’ll have Pamina
Gattin sein. my wife. as my wife.

Ich halte Wort; es ist mein I shall keep my word: it is my It is my will, I keep my
Wille, will. My child shall be your promise:
Mein Kind soll deine Gattin wife. You’ll have Pamina as your
sein. wife.

Ihr Kind soll deine Gattin sein. Her child shall be your wife. You’ll have Pamina as your
wife.
(Man hört dumpfen Donner, (Muffled thunder and the sound (Muffled thunder and the sound
Geräusch von Wasser.) of rushing water are heard.) of rushing water are heard.)

Doch still, ich höre schrecklich Quiet; I hear scary rumbling, I think I hear a frightful
Rauschen, like thunder or a waterfall. rumbling,
Wie Donnerton und Wasserfall. A waterfall or thunder’s roar.
Königin, die Damen: Queen of the Night, Ladies: Queen of the Night, Ladies:
Ja, fürchterlich ist dieses Yes, this rumbling is frightful, Yes, thunder and the water
Rauschen, like the echo of distant thunder! tumbling,
Wie fernen Donners Widerhall! Reverberating from afar!

Nun sind sie in des Tempels They are in the halls of the Now we will find them in the
Hallen. temple now. temple.
Alle: All: All:

Dort wollen wir sie überfallen - There we will ambush them; we There we will lurk and spring
die Frömmler tilgen von der shall wipe the hypocrites from upon them,
Erd' the face of the earth with fire’s And we will burn them off this
Mit Feuersglut und mächt'gem glow and mighty sword. earth
Schwert. With inquisition’s flaming
sword!
Drei Damen, Monostatos: Three Ladies, Monostatos: Three Ladies, Monostatos:

Dir, große Königin der Nacht, To you, great Queen of the O mighty ruler of the night,
sei uns'rer Rache Opfer Night, may our revenge be To you we dedicate our
gebracht. dedicated. revenge.
(Man hört der stärksten (A strong chord from the (A strong chord from the
Akkord, Donner, Blitz, orchestra is heard, together orchestra is heard, together
Sturm.) with thunder, lightning, and with thunder, lightning, and
storm sounds.) storm sounds.)
Alle: All: All:

Zerschmettert, zernichtet ist Our power is shattered, Our cunning is crushed, our
unsere Macht, nullified; we all fall into eternal swords are straw;
Wir alle gestürzt in ewige night! We tumble to the abyssal maw!
Nacht!
(Sie versinken. Sogleich (They sink out of sight. (They sink out of sight.
verwandelt sich das ganze Immediately, the scene is Immediately, the scene is
Theater in eine Sonne. Sarastro flooded with bright light, with a flooded with bright light, with a
steht erhöht; Tamino,Pamina, sun-symbol as backdrop. sun-symbol as backdrop.
beid e in p riesterlicher Sarastro stands at the most Sarastro stands at the most
Kleidung. Neben ihnen die elevated position; Tamino and elevated position; Tamino and
ägyptischen Priester auf beiden Pamina, in priestly garb, stand Pamina, in priestly garb, stand
Seiten. Die Drei Knaben halten beside him, flanked by the beside him, flanked by the
Blumen.) Egyptian priests. The Three Egyptian priests. The Three
Boys are carrying flowers.) Boys are carrying flowers.)
[21e. Rezitativ u n d [21e. Recitative and Final [21e. Recitative and Final
Schlußchor:] Chorus:] Chorus:]

Die Strahlen der Sonne The rays of the sun drive away The sunlight, refulgent, has
vertreiben die Nacht, the night, and nullify the banished the night
Zernichten der Heuchler hypocrites’ ill-gotten power. And shattered forever the
erschlichene Macht. hypocrites’ might.
Chorus: Chorus: Chorus:

Heil sei euch Geweihten! All hail to you consecrated Hail the consecrated!
Ihr dränget durch Nacht. ones! You have endured the You vanquished the night.
Dank sei dir, Osiris, night. Thanks be rendered to Thanks to you, Osiris;
Dank dir, Isis, gebracht! you, Osiris, and to you, Isis! Thanks to Isis we bring!
Es siegte die Stärke Your power and glory has Your glory has triumphed
Und krönet zum Lohn triumphed, and has rewarded And set on the brow
Die Schönheit und Weisheit beauty and wisdom by Of beauty and wisdom
Mit ewiger Kron'. crowning them with an eternal An undying crown.
crown.
Ende The End The End

Mozart Magic FLute Booklet in English PDF

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Die Zauberflöte, English translation by Clark Hecker

About Versions and Variability

There seems to be considerable variability between various versions of Schikaneder’s text,

and, for nested repeti-

Nein, nein! expands out as No way!

1. Einführung 1. Introduction 1. Introduction

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Drei Damen: Three Ladies: Three Ladies:

Erste Dame: First Lady: First Lady:

Second Lady: Second Lady:

Three Ladies: Three Ladies:

Erste Dame: First Lady: First Lady:

Zweite Dame: Second Lady: Second Lady:

Dritte Dame: Third Lady: Third Lady:

Erste Dame: First Lady: First Lady:

Zweite Dame: Second Lady: Second Lady:

Dritte Dame: Third Lady: Third Lady:

Erste Dame: First Lady: First Lady:

Zweite Dame: Second Lady: Second Lady:

Dritte Dame: Thi rd Lady: Third Lady:

Drei Damen: Three Ladies: Three Ladies:

(Jede für sich) (Each to herself) (Each to herself)

(Zu Tamino) (To Tamino) (To Tamino)

2. Lied (Arie) 2. Aria 2. Aria

(Papageno kommt einen (Papageno comes down a (Papageno comes down a

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Dialog Dialogue. Dialogue.

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino (lacht): Tamino (laughs): Tamino (laughs):

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino(für sich): Tamino (aside): Tamino (aside):

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino (für sich): Tamino (to himself): Tamino (to himself):

Papageno (für sich): Papageno (to himself): Papageno (to himself):

(laut) (aloud) (aloud)

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

(für sich) (aside) (aside)

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino:

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

(für sich) (aside) (aside)

Papageno: Papageno: Papageno:

Tamino: Tamino: Tamino: