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.
Photo Gallery
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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