The Abduction from the Seraglio
Mozart Opera Die Entführung aus Dem Serail
Die Entführung aus Dem Serail (Abduction from the Seraglio), by Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart: Seraglio plot summary, character list, and other Mozart opera information.
The Abduction from the Seraglio (Die Entführung aus Dem Serail) is an opera Singspiel in three acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composed in 1782. Libretto is in German by J.G. Stephanie the Younger, adapted from an original libretto by Friedrich Breitzner's Belmonte and Constanze (1782, Vienna). The first performance: Burgtheater, Vienna, July 16, 1772.
This opera is a popular form, a German Singspiel, in which the action is primarily confined to spoken dialogue and the music limited to reflective arias and duets with occasional chorus. It is said that Mozart's music is simple and static, but still of great lyrical beauty. The fun and musical charm are still worth it.
The Main Characters in Die Entführung aus Dem Serail:
- Constanze, A Spanish lady (Soprano)
- Blonde, Constanze's maid (Soprano)
- Belmonte, Constanze's lover (Tenor)
- Pasha Selim (Speaking Part)
- Osmin, Selim's Overseer (Bass)
- Pedrillo, Former servant of Belmonte (Tenor)
Basic plot summary of Mozart's opera Die Entführung aus Dem Serail:
Setting: Turkey, 16th century, but often played in 18th-century dress.
The overture has a "Turkish" march bearing with a fragment of Belmonte's opening aria.
Act 1.
Outside the Pasha's palace by the sea.
Belmonte, a Spanish prince, gains admittance to the palace of Selim Pasha, where his beloved Constanza, her maid Blonde, and Belmonte's servant Pedrillo are held captive. Naturally, Belmonte sings of his happiness at the prospect of seeing Constanze who has been abducted off by pirates and being held captive in the palace. In a tremendous comic aria Osmin threatens to outwit Belmonte. Pedrillo finds Belmonte. Constanze meanwhile, longing for Belmonte, has continued to spurn the Pasha's advances on her. She says that she cannot love him because she is in love when someone else already. She is also unaware of Belmonte's presence in the palace. Pedrillo introduces Belmonte as an architect, Pasha welcomes him. Osmin is suspicious.
Act 2.
Garden of the palace.
Osmin, the overseer, vainly woos Constanze's English maid Blonde, who finds solace in Pedrillo's affection. Constanze pours out to Blonde her sadness in an accompanied recitative and aria. The Pasha enters and cautions Constanze that she must love him or torture awaits her. After the Pasha leaves, Pedrillo tells Blonde the great news of Belmonte's presence and to rescue both of them at night. Blonde rushes with excited aria and informs her mistress. An attempt by the quartet of young lovers to escape begins successfully as Pedrillo persuades the vigilant Osmin to drink and taste some wine, actually to make him drunk. He gets drunk and sent off to bed.
Act 3.
Outside the palace. Midnight.
It is midnight at the palace. Belmonte soliloquizes an aria about the power of love. Assisted by the ship's captain, Pedrillo arranges the escape ladders. While all the escape process goes on, Osmin the overseer rouses himself just in time. The Pasha displays unexpected clemency and allows all four to go back to Spain. The finale takes a simple melody of gratitude to the Pasha Selim sung in turn by Belmonte, Constanze, Pedrillo and Blonde, and repeated by the chorus.
Other operas written by W.A. Mozart:
- Die Zauberflöte
- Così fan tutte
- Don Giovanni
- Le nozze di Figaro
- Der Schauspieldirektor
- La clemenza di Tito
- Idomeneo
- Il rè pastore
- La finta Giardiniera
- Lucio Silla
- Il sogno di Scipione
- Ascanio in Alba
- Mitridate, rè di Ponto
- La finta semplice
- Bastien und Bastienne
