In Mozart's mixture of magic, mystery and pantomime, Tamino is rescued from a snake by attendants of the Queen of the Night.
They persuade him to rescue the Queen's daughter, Pamina, from the tyrant Sarastro, with a magic flute and glockenspiel for protection.
Presented from New York by Margaret Juntwait.
New York Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Paul Daniel Act
7.45 Interval: The Met Quiz Thor Eckert puts listeners' questions to Carolyn Abbate , Alan Wagner and Willie Anthony Waters.
Send questions to Met Opera Quiz, FOR Station, PO Box 805, New York, NY 10150, USA, or via bbc.co.uk/radio3
8.15 Act 2