Die Entführung aus dem Serail

There is no opera more closely associated with the Orient than Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail. This Singspiel ingenuously introduces us to the culture and music of the East. The country it is set in, Turkey, symbolises the whole oriental world and its culture, and also the threat to the West this world appears to represent. This was already true during the repeated Turkish threat to Mozart’s Vienna, which was both disturbing and fascinating. This still applies today, when we are confronted with the cultural, political and military challenge of the eastern world.

Bassa Selim is keeping the Spanish Konstanze and her English friend Blonde prisoner in his harem, which is guarded by the ruthless and aggressive Osmin. Belmonte and Pedrillo, the two women’s Spanish fiancés, set out for Bassa’s kingdom in the hope of freeing their sweethearts. But Bassa has set his heart on Konstanze and Osmin is hoping to win the love of Blonde. But as it turns out, a Western woman needs her freedom before she can love anyone. It is this struggle for freedom that results in a challenging confrontation between cultures and religions.

Duration: approximately 2h45