The Abduction from the Seraglio

Belmonte is looking for his fiancée Konstanze, who has been kidnapped with Blonde and Pedrillo by pirates and sold to Bassa Selim.

He loves Konstanze, but she remains faithful to Belmonte and accepts the threat of torture. An escape attempt by the four of them fails. When Belmonte begs for mercy, the Bassa recognizes him as the son of his arch-enemy. Instead of taking revenge, he shows greatness and gives them all their freedom - out of the conviction that kindness is stronger than retribution.

Synopsis:

Part 1:
The Spanish nobleman Belmonte appears before the estate of Bassa Selim in search of his fiancée Konstanze. She has been kidnapped by pirates together with her servant, the English maid Blonde, and Belmonte’s servant Pedrillo.

He meets Osmin, the overseer of the estate, who hostilely refuses to give him the information he wants. Only after his reunion with Pedrillo does Belmonte learn that Konstanze and the couple Blonde and Pedrillo have been bought as slaves by Bassa Selim. The latter loves Konstanze, but has not yet been heard.

As a European who has converted to Islam, he still has »the delicacy not to force any of his wives to love him«. Belmonte can secretly convince himself of this when the Bassa appears with his entourage and Constanze and gives in to Constanze’s renewed pleas to postpone her decision. Pedrillo succeeds in introducing Belmonte to the Bassa as a master builder and thus gains him access to the palace against Osmin’s resistance.
Ein tätowierter Mann mit roter Schärpe hält dramatisch das Kinn einer Person in pinkem Kostüm, die rücklings über einer Truhe liegt.

Blonde, who was given to Osmin as a slave, confidently defends herself against the advances of the enamored Turk. Once again, the Bassa courts Constance’s favor, but she feels obliged to Belmonte. She would rather endure the torture threatened by the offended Bassa than be unfaithful to Belmonte.

Part 2:
The reunion is imminent, Belmonte is expecting his lover. When the two European couples come face to face, their joy is severely dampened:
Belmonte and Pedrillo doubt the women’s fidelity. Konstanze and Blonde are deeply hurt. The abduction of the women planned for midnight fails because Osmin, who has been made drunk by Pedrillo, wakes up too early from his intoxication. Osmin sees that his hour of revenge has come.

The Bassa recognizes in Belmonte, who begs for mercy, the son of his mortal enemy who once stole his beloved and forced him to leave his fatherland. The two couples await death. But the Bassa gives them all their freedom: »If you can’t win someone over by doing them good, you have to get rid of them.« Everyone sings the praises of the Bassa’s generosity, only Osmin, boiling with impotent rage, falls out of character. The Bassa remains alone.


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program

Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Musik: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Text: Johann Gottlieb Stephanie nach Christoph Friedrich Bretzner in der Dialogfassung von Hans Neuenfels
→ Ein deutsches Singspiel in drei Aufzügen

Place

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The Vienna State Opera is one of the world's leading opera houses and a cultural landmark of Austria. Located prominently in the heart of Vienna, along the famous Ringstrasse, it offers outstanding opera productions featuring international stars and a renowned ballet ensemble.

Since its grand opening in 1869, the Vienna State Opera has been synonymous with musical excellence, artistic perfection, and an extensive repertoire ranging from operatic classics to contemporary works. Each season, it stages more than 300 performances, including world-famous operas such as Mozart’s "The Magic Flute", Verdi’s "La Traviata", and Puccini’s "Tosca".

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