Mozart’s opera The Abduction from the Seraglio, K 384 (original German name Die Entführung aus dem Serail) was first performed in Vienna in July 1782 with the composer himself conducting. The plot concerns the attempt by Belmonte, assisted by his servant Pedrillo, to rescue his beloved Constanze from the seraglio of Pasha Selim. This work is a ‘singspiel’ – a form of German-language music drama in which the narrative is carried forward by spoken dialogues as opposed to sung recitativo numbers.
In this performance, the work is to be played and sung by members of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Company conducted by Zdravko Lazarov, the chorus having been trained by Paolo Villa.
Performances: Friday October 18, 20:00, Monday October 21, 20:00, Tuesday October 22, 20:00
Issue 66, December 2023
Turkey’s Centenary Issue
