Prince Tamino falls in love with the portrait of the beautiful Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night and the deceased Sun King. But as her father's rightful heir, Pamina has been abducted by Sarastro, who fears the bad influence of her power-hungry mother. The prince has no idea of this when he sets off with the jolly royal birdcatcher Papageno to rescue Pamina from captivity. The queen gives them a flute and a glockenspiel to take with them on their journey, whose magical powers are supposed to help them in danger.