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The Abduction from the Seraglio (1986)

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

This is a co-production with Opera North, England. Graham Vick is Director of Productions of Scottish Opera.

Edited for the Neue Mozart Ausgabe by Gerhard Croll. Used by arrangement with Magnamusic-Baton Inc., U.S. agent for Biirenreiter-Verlag, Kassel, publisher and copyright owner.

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

Dates of Performance
May 29, 31, June 6, 11, 15, 21

 

1986 Season
The Tale of Hoffmann     The Abduction from the Seraglio

A Death in the Family     The Journey to Rheims

 

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Cast

John LaPierre
Belmonte

 

Kenneth Cox
Osmin

David Eisler
Pedrillo

 

Peter Francis-James
The Pasha Selim

Joyce Guyer
Constanza

 

Cheryl Parrish
Blonda

Creative Team

Roger Nierenberg
Conductor

 

Graham Vick
Stage Director

 

Kevin Rupnick
Designer

Peter Kaczorowski
Lighting Designer

 

Elizabeth Gorla
Assistant Stage Designer

 

Peggy Imbrie
Stage Manager

G. Michael Murphy
Assistant Stage Manager

 

Tom Watson
Wig Master & Makeup

 

Ted Taylor
Repetiteur

Synopsis

Belmonte, a Spanish nobleman, has made his way to Turkey in search of Constanza, to whom he is betrothed. After being captured by pirates Constanza, her English maid Blonda, and Pedrillo, servant to Belmonte, have all three been bought by the Pasha Selim and taken to his house on the seacoast of Turkey. The Pasha has made Constanza the favorite of his harem, despite the fact that she refuses to return his love; he employs Pedrillo as his gardener and has made a present of Blonda to his chief steward, Osmin.

On his arrival at the house, Belmonte is refused admission by Osmin. Shortly afterwards Belmonte encounters Pedrillo who tells him all that has happened and proposes to introduce Belmonte to the Pasha as a famous architect. The Pasha enters with Constanza and pleads with her to marry him. She refuses, having sworn eternal fidelity to Belmonte. The Pasha gives her one day in which to change her mind. Pedrillo presents Belmonte to the Pasha, who courteously welcomes him. As Pedrillo leads Belmonte towards the house, Osmin tries to prevent them from entering, but without success.

Blonda and Osmin have a difference of opinion about Blonda’s role as slave, Blonda expressing the English, Osmin, the Turkish point of view. She finally chases Osmin away. The Pasha again presses his claims on Constanza but she still refuses to give in to him in spite of his threats to have her tortured. Pedrillo tells Blonda that Belmonte has arrived and is standing by, ready to rescue them by ship at midnight. Pedrillo invites Osmin to drink with him, having previously mixed a sleeping draught with the wine. Osmin overcomes his scruples about taking wine, drinks deeply and is pushed off to bed. Constanza and Belmonte are brought together by Blonda and Pedrillo.

Pedrillo serenades the ladies as their cue for escape. Osmin, roused by the guards, enters as the lovers are in the act of escaping The lovers are arrested and brought before the Pasha. When the Pasha discovers that Belmonte is the son of a man who once did him great wrong, he prepares to have all four lovers tortured and put to death. Later he forgives them and, to Osmin’s rage, magnanimously grants them their freedom.

The production of The Abduction from the Seraglio is the sixth in Opera Theatre’s six-year cycle of Mozart operas. The cycle is funded by a special gift from Emerson Electric Co.

The services of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for The Abduction from the Seraglio have been underwritten by a much appreciated gift from Mr. & Mrs. Joseph 0. Losos.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis also acknowledges the generosity of Mrs. Clark R. Gamble, whose support has helped make this production possible.

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