Following a brawl in the tavern, Kasperl tells his wife that he is becoming a misanthrope and is withdrawing from the world. He also leaves the role of the police commissioner. His misfortunes lead him to the European residence of the Egyptian prince Tamino and his wife Pamina, which is also the retreat of the aging magician Sarastro. The Moor in the service of the Queen of the Night, Monostatist (the Monostatos of The Magic Flute), helps Kasperl, who presents himself as a learned traveller, to break into the palace: he hopes that he will stir up trouble. The hungry Kasperl proves to be an extremely rude host, and the frequent visits of the Queen of the Night, which plunge the scene into darkness each time, add to the confusion. Sarastro is nevertheless prepared to initiate the so-called scholar into the mysteries of Freemasonry, but Kasperl mainly amuses himself by banging the gong and then stamping his foot on the lodge master's table: Sarastro forbids him to do so, they quarrel and Kasperl knocks him out, then runs away with the protection of the Queen of the Night. Pursued by Tamino's lion, he is narrowly saved by the hunter Thomerl, who shoots the lion. They then return home with their trophy, much to the amazement of the police. The Queen of the Night appears to wish the audience good night.

Young audiences

Pocci Franz von

Germany

Munich

Printed

Opera

Freemasonry

Magic

Music

Mother-in-law

Egypt

Orientalism

Beer

Tavern

Breakfast

Moor

Black

Slave

Lion

Bureaucracy

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Misanthropy

Classical music

Hermeticism

Esotericism

Parodistic

Marvelous

German

Queen of the Night

Dame de la suite de la reine de la nuit

Monostatos

Kasperl

Commissioner

Thomerl

Police officer

Un lion docile

Allegory

Word for another

Talking animal

Song

Instrumental tune

Metatheatre

Address to the public

Light effects

Transforming scenery

Casperl in der Zauberflöte

Kasperl in the Magic Flute