Mozart's Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (PDF)

The Emperor in Vienna was keen to promote German Singspiel, comic opera sung in German. When Mozart broke loose and went freelance in 1781, he composed a Singspiel at the request of an official who needed one to celebrate a forthcoming visit of a Russian Prince. Although another opera was chosen for this, Mozart's Die Entfuhrung (The Abduction) was produced in the following year. This early opera of his was criticised by the Emperor apparently for having 'too many notes'. At the time Mozart was creating the prima donna of Die Entfuhrung, Constanze, he was courting Constanze Weber, whose sister had been his sweetheart some years earlier. The Abduction from the Seraglio takes place at a Pasha's palace in Turkey. It features the comical Osmin, the steward of the harem (seraglio). The shipwrecked Constanze has been placed in this pending her submission to the Pasha whom she resists vigorously. Constanze's lover Belmonte arranges for the abduction of her and her servants. Although Osmin's drink has been spiked, he catches them. When the Pasha realises that Belmonte is the son of a great enemy, he magnanimously and improbably lets them go instead of having them tortured and executed. (Short Guides to Great Operas written by Michael Steen, author of the acclaimed The Lives and Times of the Great Composers, are concise, entertaining, and easy-to-read books about opera. They are packed with useful information and informed opinion, helping to make you a truly knowledgeable opera-goer, and so maximising your enjoyment of a great musical experience.Each at around the price you pay for a standard opera-house programme, and available from all popular ebook retailers and ereaders, they are the perfect accompaniment to a night at an opera - whether that's at home, or at the opera house, or in the cinema for opera on screen, such as ROH Live, Met Opera HD Live, or Glyndebourne Festival in cinemas.Also available: Great Operas - A Guide to 25 of the World's Finest Musical Experiences. A compendium of Short Guides for the opera-goer who wants a wider-ranging reference to the masterpieces of the art form.