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Abduction from the Seraglio (2003)

Singspiel in Three Acts

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Libretto by Gottlieb Stephanie from a play by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner

English translation by Andrew Porter commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, 1986.

Edited for the New Mozart Edition (Neue Mozart-Ausgabe) by Gerhard Croll.

By arrangement with Barenreiter, publisher and copyright owner.

English dialogue by Elkhanah Pulitzer.

First performed at the Burgtheater, Vienna, 16 July 1782.

First performed by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis 29 May 1985.

Dates of Performance
???

 

2003 Season
Tosca     Abduction from the Seraglio

Flight     Thaïs

 

 

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Cast

Gregory Turay
Belmonte

 

Kevin Short
Osmin

 

Jeffrey Picón
Pedrillo

 

Keith Glover*
The Pasha Selim

Jennifer Welch-Babidge
Constanza

 

Celena Shafer*
Blonda

 

Amy K. Shoremount*
Quartet

Elizabeth De Shong*
Quartet

 

Aaron S. Logan*
Quartet

 

Liam Moran*
Quartet

*Company Debut

Creative Team

Graeme Jenkins*
Conductor

 

Elkhanah Pulitzer*
Stage Director

 

Christopher Akerlind
Set Designer

 

Robin VerHage-Abrams
Costume Designer

 

Mark McCullough
Lighting Designer

Tom Watson
Wig & Makeup Designer

 

Ben Malensek
Chorus Master

 

Kathryn LaBouff
English Diction Specialist

 

David Moody
Repetiteur

Jay Jackson*
Assistant Stage Director

 

Peggy Stenger
Stage Manager

 

Sherrie Dee Brewer*
Assistant Stage Manager

 

Tomer Zvulun*
Intern Assistant Stage Manager

*Company Debut

Synopsis

Constanza, her English maid Blanda, and Belmonte’s servant Pedrillo have been sold to Pasha Selim by pirates and taken to his island, where they hope for rescue by Belmonte.

Belmonte encounters Osmin, Pasha Selim’s belligerent aide responsible for security. He then runs into Pedrillo, who now holds the post of gardener; they conspire to introduce Belmonte to Pasha Selim as an architect.

The Pasha declares his love for Constanza, but she has promised herself to Belmonte and asks for time and understanding. The Pasha grants her one more day. Pedrillo then introduces Belmonte to the Pasha, who welcomes him, but as Belmonte and Pedrillo try to enter the house, Osmin stands guard at the door and refuses to let them pass.

Bionda is harassed by Osmin, who wants to treat her like a Turkish slave girl, but she insists on being wooed as an Englishwoman.

The Pasha again presses his claims on Constanza and even threatens torture, but she refuses to give in. Pedrillo arrives to find his beloved Bionda and tells her of Belmonte’s arrival and their plan to escape by boat at midnight.
Pedrillo plans to knock out Osmin with a sleeping potion mixed in wine; they will then use ladders to rescue the ladies and make a quick getaway. Bionda leaves to tell Constanza the good news. Pedrillo finds Osmin, who is reluctant to try the wine but eventually concedes and falls asleep. Constanza and Belmonte are reunited by Blanda and Pedrillo.

Pedrillo signals the ladies with a serenade.
Osmin awakens and catches the lovers escaping. They are arrested and brought before the Pasha. When the Pasha discovers that Belmonte is the son of the man who once stole and married his beloved, he prepares to have all four lovers tortured and executed.

In the final moments, however, he forgives them and — much to Osmin’s dismay — magnanimously grants them their freedom.

Major support has been provided by MasterCard International, Inc.

Graeme Jenkins’ engagement is sponsored by the Edward Chase Garvey Memorial Trust.

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