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FULL DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL or THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO Mount Vernon WA 2024
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL or THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO or The Revenge of the Harem Mice
- Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Libretto: Johann Gottlieb Stephanie d.J. Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon, Washington, Pacific Northwest Opera
- Recorded: April 2024
- Type: Staged Opera Live
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
“The Abduction from the Seraglio” was the first opera Mozart wrote for Vienna, the first German opera to stay in the standard repertoire, and his most successful opera during his lifetime. Written in 1782, when he was 25, it was a commission from the “Nationalsingspiel” established by the Austrian Emperor Joseph II to promote German opera. “Singspiel” refers to the dominant style of German opera at the time where arias and ensembles were alternated with spoken dialogue.
Although it has been a staple in operatic literature for over 250 years, the opera’s glossy portrayal of the slavery of the harem and Turkish culture has made it difficult to stage for modern audiences. Many modern productions have addressed these issues by over-emphasizing the sexual aspect and violence, rendering the wit and charm of the opera sad and dark. Pacific Northwest Opera takes a different approach. We take our cue from a complaint coming from the character of Osmin when he says “These damn harem mice” to emphasize the humor in Mozart’s brilliant musical score. Thus our production is placed in the laboratory of the rather goofy Dr. Salem where the harem occupants are mice and their guard is a cat. The spoken dialogue, which is in English, has been rewritten to reflect the new situation.