Editing The Magic Flute (section)

====Finale. Scene 3: A grove in front of a temple====
[[File:Magic Flute 2006 NZO 02.jpg|thumb|left|Tamino charms the animals with his flute.]]
The three boys lead Tamino to Sarastro's temple, promising that if he remains patient, wise and steadfast, he will succeed in rescuing Pamina (Quartet: "{{Lang|de|Zum Ziele führt dich diese Bahn|italic=no}}" / This path leads you to your goal). Tamino approaches the right-hand entrance (the Temple of Reason) and is denied access by voices from within. The same happens when he goes to the entrance on the left (the Temple of Nature). But from the entrance in the middle (the Temple of Wisdom), a senior priest appears. (The priest is referred to as "The Speaker" in the libretto, but his role is sung.) He tells Tamino that Sarastro is benevolent, not evil, and that he should not trust the Queen of the Night. With a hidden male chorus, he promises that Tamino's confusion will be lifted when he approaches the temple in a spirit of friendship, and that Pamina is alive. Tamino plays his magic flute. Animals appear and dance, enraptured, to his music. Tamino hears Papageno's pipes sounding offstage, and hurries off to find him (aria: "{{Lang|de|Wie stark ist nicht dein Zauberton|italic=no}}" / How strong is thy magic tone).

[[File:SchafferBrothersDesignForMagicFlute1793ArrivalOfSarastro.png|thumb|Arrival of Sarastro on a chariot pulled by lions, from a 1793 production in [[Brno]]. Pamina appears at left, Papageno at right. In the background are the temples of Wisdom, Reason, and Nature.]]
Papageno and Pamina enter, searching for Tamino (trio: "{{Lang|de|Schnelle Füße, rascher Mut|italic=no}}" / Swift steps, ready courage). They are recaptured by Monostatos and his slaves. Papageno plays his magic bells, causing Monostatos and his slaves to dance off the stage, mesmerised by the beauty of the music (chorus: "{{Lang|de|Das klinget so herrlich|italic=no}}" / That sounds so splendid). Papageno and Pamina hear the sound of Sarastro's retinue approaching. Papageno is frightened and asks Pamina what they should say. She answers that they must tell the truth. Sarastro enters, with a crowd of followers. (chorus: "{{Lang|de|Es lebe Sarastro!|italic=no}}" / Long live Sarastro!) Pamina falls at Sarastro's feet and confesses that she tried to escape because Monostatos had forced his attentions on her. Sarastro receives her kindly and assures her that he wishes only for her happiness, but he refuses to return her to her mother, whom he describes as a proud, headstrong woman, and a bad influence on those around her. Pamina, he says, must be guided by a man.

Monostatos brings in Tamino. The two lovers see one another for the first time and embrace, causing indignation among Sarastro's followers. Monostatos tells Sarastro that he caught Papageno and Pamina trying to escape, and demands a reward. Sarastro ironically "rewards" Monostatos with a beating and sends him away. He announces that Tamino and Pamina must both undergo trials to be purified. The priests declare that virtue and righteousness will sanctify life and make mortals like gods ("{{Lang|de|Wenn Tugend und Gerechtigkeit|italic=no}}" / If virtue and justice).