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The Abduction from the Seraglio
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
January 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th - 2003
“Mozart's charming comedy is a delight to the ear from the start to the finish.” ~ Maestro John DeMain |
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Die Entführung aus dem Serail
ACT I 16th Century. Turkey.
Without waiting for a conclusion to the overture, the curtain rises on Belmonte, the noble young Spanish hero of the story. He has reached a seaside plaza outside the palace of the Pasha, and he sings of his hope of finding Konstanze. An unpleasant old fellow named Osmin appears. He is picking figs in the garden and singing a ditty about unreliable sweethearts. Now, Osmin is the Pasha's overseer, and when Belmonte asks about his friend Pedrillo, he receives a very scurvy welcome. Osmin, it seems, is in love with Blondchen, but so is Pedrillo, and the girl wants the young Spaniard. When Osmin has disappeared, Pedrillo himself comes out and tells his master that he is a favorite of the Pasha. Immediately they begin to scheme to get the two girls.
A chorus of Janissaries, welcoming the Pasha, interrupts them, and a scene between the Pasha and the lovely Konstanze tells us how things are going. The high-minded Turk loves the lady, but he will not force his bed on her. She, for her part, still pines for her old love, Belmonte, and frankly tells her captor so. When she has left, Pedrillo introduces Belmonte to the Pasha as a visiting architect. The Pasha is most cordial, but when he has left, old Osmin tries to keep the two friends from entering the palace. An amusing trio follows, and as the act ends, the two men push Osmin aside and rush in.
ACT II
So far we have not met the most engaging lady in the cast Blondchen; but in the very opening of Act II, which takes place within the palace, she really tells Osmin off. English girls can't be ordered around, she says, not even in Turkey; and before she gets rid of him, she offers to scratch the fellow's eyes out and to get him beaten off. But Konstanze is more tragically disposed. Belmonte has, (she thinks) failed to rescue her, and now the Pasha demands that she love him tomorrow. The Pasha enters at this point and demands her love at once;even threatening torture. Then there follows a scene between little Blondchen and Pedro. He tells his girl the great news: Belmonte has arrived. In face, he is in the palace as an architect; he has a ship anchored in the bay; and they will all elope at midnight! As for the ever-suspicious Osmin, he will have to be taken care of by a will-prepared drink.
Almost at once Pedrillo has his chance. Osmin comes in and it does not take a long argument for Pedrillo to overcome his Mohammedan scruples about alcohol. The old fellow drinks himself silly and is dragged off sound asleep. The act ends with a perfectly delightful "quartet " by the four lovers. The Spanish men are at first a little suspicious about the faithfulness of the two girls; but they are quickly convinced, and the plans to elope that night are confirmed.
ACT III
Scene 1 Midnight.
Belmonte and Pedrillo, outside the palace, are ready to abduct Konstanze and Blondchen in the approved romantic fashion;that is, with ladders and serenades. They begin properly enough, and Belmonte gets away with his Konstanze. Unfortunately, it is a rather noisy business, and the jealous Osmin recovers from his drunken stupor just in time to catch the runaways. They are all brought in under guard; the Pasha is summoned; and the culprits are condemned to an immediate and hideous death. Yet there is still time for a lovely duet, of farewell and courage, between Belmonte and Konstanze, and also for a rather fiendish aria of revenge by Osmin.
Scene 2
Within the palace, comes the surprise ending. It turns out that Belmonte' father had been the Pasha's worst enemy and had treated him most harshly. The high-minded Turk wishes to teach the Europeans a lesson in forbearance. He pardons Belmonte and presents him with his own beloved Konstanze, and he forgive Pedrillo and Blondchen even over the protests of Osmin. Naturally, everyone except Osmin is thoroughly delighted.
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