Libretto of The Magic Flute [His portrayal of Pamina] is one more example of the thread that runs through the operas – what Daniel Heartz has called Mozart's "infinite care to create strong and deeply moving female characters in [...] all of his operas." Mainstream scholarship views Schikaneder as the highly probable author. For a marginally-supported alternative candidate, see "Karl Ludwig Giesecke". It is not uncommon for critics to describe the libretto of "The Magic Flute" as being of dreadful quality. Thus Bauman writes, "The libretto has been generally regarded, in Dent's words, as "one of the most absurd specimens of that form of literature
The Magic Flute He promises that Tamino's confusion will be lifted when Tamino approaches the temple in a spirit of friendship. 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: ""). Papageno and Pamina enter, searching for Tamino (trio: ""). They are recaptured by Monostatos and his slaves. Papageno plays his magic bells, and Monostatos and his slaves begin to dance, and exit the stage, still dancing, mesmerised by the beauty of the music (chorus: ""). Papageno and Pamina hear the sound of Sarastro's retinue approaching.