Break 15:00–16:00
Break 15:00–16:00
The Abduction from the Seraglio (Die Entführung aus dem Serail)
The Abduction from the Seraglio is the first national opera written in the tradition of the singspiel, which now remains in the world repertoire the oldest opera in the German language.
Divine Mozart, with all the power of genius and passion, threw himself into the abyss of the passions of his future masterpiece – The Abduction from the Seraglio.
Still, this will be his best opera. Oh, Konstanze! Beloved wife! The character of the future performance is named after you. Finally, the main thing will happen – the music no longer kidnaps him from his family. On the contrary, it will reunite loving hearts, breaking down the barrier between life and stage!
Yuri Alexandrov
Act I
Turkey. Palace of Pasha Selim. Belmonte reached here with difficulty, looking for his beloved Konstanze. Together with the servant, Blonde, the girl languishes in captivity. How to find Konstanze and save her – these questions haunt the young man. But so far all efforts are in vain. The captive is well guarded by the Pasha’s faithful servants.
One of them is old Osmin. Maybe he can find out something? It turns out that he is not such a docile character. All Belmonte’s attempts to find out whether his servant Pedrillo is in the palace, do not lead to anything.
A chance encounter with Pedrillo clarifies everything. From the story of the servant, Belmonte learns that the ship on which Konstanze was with the maid and him was captured by pirates. It is good that Pasha Selim bought all three and now they are together. Pedrillo, disguised as a gardener, managed to gain confidence with Pasha. He can introduce Belmonte to Pasha Selim as an experienced architect, so it would be much easier to arrange the escape of the captives! So, the decision has been made.
Pasha Selim and Konstanze appear, accompanied by a large retinue. The girl is sad. The kind attitude of the ruler does not comfort the captive. Konstanze is sure that fate has parted her from Belmonte forever, but she cannot forget him.
Pasha Selim reproaches Konstanze: he has been waiting too long for the girl’s consent to become his lover. Let Konstanze answer later, but this reprieve will be the last!
After waiting for the moment, Pedrillo carries out his plan: he passes off Belmonte as a talented architect eager to serve the Pasha. The modest youth immediately arouses Selim’s interest; his request is graciously promised to be satisfied.
Belmonte wants to free his beloved immediately. The servant is more intelligent. He advises not to rush: after all, fervor can ruin the whole thing. Pedrillo also knows what love is, but he knows how to restrain his feelings, although sometimes it is so difficult to see his beloved Blonde next to this old sly Osmin. Osmin tries to apprehend Belmonte and Pedrillo. He is sure that it is not in vain that these foreigners are making their way into the palace so persistently. No doubt, they have bad intentions...
Act II
Selim Pasha, as a sign of his affection, presented Osmin Blonde, the maid of Konstanze. However, the girl makes fun of the old man’s efforts to win her heart. She would never agree to become his slave. Osmin warns Blonde against meeting Pedrillo, but the girl is difficult to intimidate. She is surprised how women in this country can put up with their humiliation. No, such a life is not for Blonde. The girl resolutely defends her right to freedom.
Konstanze is lonely ... Thoughts about her beloved, about the old happy days do not leave her ...
Pasha Selim enters, surrounded by his retinue. He reminds Konstanze that tomorrow, whether she wants it or not, he will call the girl his wife. Konstanze is in despair. Apparently, she will have to submit, but let Selim leave her empty hope: she does not love him and will never love him.
Pedrillo, having met Blonde in the meantime, managed to inform her that Belmonte was already here and everything was ready to escape. The maid is in a hurry to share the good news with her mistress. Now we can hope for salvation!
I am sure of luck and Pedrillo. You just need to wait until midnight and try to deceive the guards.
We will have to start, of course, with Osmin. To lull the vigilance of a suspicious old man means to decide the outcome of the case: everyone knows the supervisor’s addiction to wine ... Everything happens as planned. Osmin happily empties the bottle, not suspecting that he drinks the sleeping powder sprinkled with Pedrillo with the wine ... Belmont is looking forward to seeing Konstanze. There she is. Finally, she will dispel his jealous suspicions. By the way, Pedrillo also has questions for Blonde. However, girls quickly find a way to dispel the suspicions of men in love. Everyone is happy! How long?
Midnight, everything is ready to escape. A ship is already standing by the shore, which is to take on board the fugitives. Pedrillo and Belmonte appear in the square in front of Selim’s palace. To signal to the beloved ladies, Pedrillo sings a serenade.
Fate favors fugitives. Konstanze and Belmonte disappear unnoticed. However, the other couple is unlucky: an enraged Osmin blocks their way. The old man calls loudly for help. Soon the guards bring Belmonte and Konstanze. Something awaits the unfortunate now? All four decide to bravely face the inevitable death. An angry Pasha appears. The situation of the fugitives is aggravated by the fact that Selim recognizes in Belmonte the son of his sworn enemy. The lovers say goodbye to each other: now the Pasha will not have mercy on them.
However, to the surprise of everyone present, Selim makes an unexpected decision: he will not take revenge on the son of his enemy. He will show mercy and set the lovers free. This is how this story ends unexpectedly and happily.
