The Abduction from the Seraglio

(Die Entführung aus dem Serail)


By: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


Cast


Story:

Constanze, a young noblewoman, her maid Blonde, and Blonde's sweetheart Pedrillo have been captured by pirates and put up for sale at the salve-market. In this misfortune, fortune smiles on them; all three were nought by Pasha Selim and have been taken to his palace by the sea, where they live under conditions that might be a lot worse. A letter from Pedrillo has at last reached Constanze's fiance, Belmonte. Aftre months of agonizing uncertainty, he now knows their fate and where to find them. He takes ship and sails to the shore Pedrillo has identified for him, determined to abduct those who were abducted by pirates in the first place.

ACT I

The curtain rises on Belmonte, the young hero of the story. He has reached the gates of the palace of the Pasha, and he sinhs of his hope of finding Constanze. Osmin appears; he is the Pasha's vizier, and when Belomte asks about his friend Pedrillo, he recieves a very angry response. Osmin, it seems, is in love with Blonde but so is Pedrillo, and the girl favours the young European. When Osmin has disappeared, Pedrillo is reunited with his master and tells Belmonte that he is a favourite of the Pasha. Immediately they begin to sceme to get the two girls away. A chorus of Janissaries welcoming the Pasha interrupts them, and a scene between the Pasha and the lobely Constanze ensues. The noble ruler loves the lady, but he will not force his suit 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 Pashaas 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. As the act ends, the two men push osmin aside and rush in.

ACT II

Convinced that Belmonte will be unable to save her, and knowing that the Pasha continues to demand her love, Constanze is at her most helpless and alone. Lost in her thoughts, she is almost interrupted by the battling Blonde and Osmin. Blonde really tells him off, insisting that English girls can't be ordered around, not even in Turkey; and before she gets rid of him, she threatens to both scratch out the fellow's eyes and have him beaten. Constanze and Blonde are unable to hide from the Pasha, who once again demands the love of the young woman - even threatening torture. She defies him, and finds her strength in knowing that she would rather die than be untrue to herself or to her Belmonte. Pedrillo has concocted a plan so that he and Belmonte may capture the women and escape from the Seraglio. Whne Blonde enters, he tells her the great news of Belmonte's arrival, and that they will all escape at midnight. The ever suspicious Osmin is to be taken care of by a well-prepared drink, and when he appears, it does not take long for Pedrillo to overcome Mohammedan scruples about alcohol. Osmin out of the way, both pairs of lovers are at last reunited and reconciled. Now is the time for the escape

ACT III

Belmonte and Pedrillo, outside the palace, are ready to abduct Constanze and Blonde in the approved romantic fashion -that is, with ladders and serenades. They begin properly enough but unfortunately , the jealous Osmin recovers from his drunken stupor just in time to catch the runaways. They are all brought in under guard, and the culprits are condemned to an immediate and hideous death. It turns out that Belmonte's father had been the Pasha's worst enemy and had treated him most harshly. But for reasons of his own, the Pasha pardons Belmonte and presents him with his beloved Constanze, and he forgives Pedrillo and Blonde, even over the protests of Osmin. Naturally, everyone except Osmin is thoroughly delighted, and the opera ends with everyone joining in the praise of the Pasha