Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail (K. 384; in English The Abduction from the Seraglio; also known as Il Seraglio) is an opera Singspiel in three acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The German libretto is by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner with adaptations by Gottlieb Stephanie. The plot concerns the attempt of the hero Belmonte, assisted by his servant Pedrillo, to rescue his beloved Konstanze from the seraglio of the Pasha Selim.
Act 1
Belmonte seeks everywhere his betrothed, Konstanze, who with her English servant Blondchen has fallen into the hands of pirates who sold them to the Pasha Selim (Aria: "Here shall I see you, Konstanze, you my hope.") Osmin, the Pasha's servant, comes to pluck figs in the garden and completely ignores Belmonte's addresses (Aria: "Who a love has found.") Belmonte insists and tries to obtain news of his servant, Pedrillo. (Duet: "Confounded be you and your song.") Osmin is angry. ("Such ragamuffins.") Nevertheless, after the servant leaves, Belmonte meets Pedrillo and they resolve to abduct Konstanze. (Aria: "Konstanze, Konstanze, to see thee again").
Accompanied by a chorus of Janissaries ("Sing to the great Pasha") Selim appears with Konstanze, for whose love he strives in vain. (Aria of Konstanze: "O forgive! Oh, I loved") Upon the recommendation of Pedrillo, the Pasha engages Belmonte as builder, but Osmin refuses him access to the palace. (Terzett: "March! March! March!")
Act 2
Blondchen repulses the rough lovemaking attempts of Osmin. (Aria: "By tenderness and flattery.") After a duet ("I go, but counsel thee to avoid the villain Pedrillo"), Osmin departs. Konstanze greets Blondchen in distress (Aria: "Sorrow has become my lot"), informing her that Selim demands her love and threatens to use force. (Aria: "This also will I bear.")
When she has gone, Pedrillo comes to Blondchen, who is his sweetheart, and informs her that Belmonte is near and that all is ready for flight. Blondchen is filled with joy. (Aria: "What happiness, what delight.") Pedrillo invites Osmin to drink, hoping that he will become intoxicated. (Aria: "On to the combat" and duet: "Vivat Bacchus!") He succeeds in this plan and gets Osmin out of the way so that Belmonte again sees his beloved Konstanze. (Quartet, Belmonte, Konstanze, Pedrillo, Blondchen: "Oh, Belmonte, oh my life.")
Act 3
Belmonte and Pedrillo come to the garden with ladders. (Aria, Belmonte: "When the tears of joy do fall"; Romanze, Pedrillo: "Captive in the land of the Moors.") Belmonte succeeds in abducting Konstanze, but when Pedrillo is about to escape with Blondchen, they are caught by Osmin (Aria: "Ho, how I will triumph"), and Belmonte and Konstanze are also brought back by the guard. Belmonte pleading for their lives announces to Selim Pasha that his father is a Spanish Grandee and Governor of Oran who will pay a huge ransom, on hearing the name of Belmonte's father, Selim Pasha declares Belmonte the son of his greatest enemy, and rejoices on how fortune has handed him a chance for vengeance. (Duet: "Oh what a fate, oh soul's misery.") His heart, however, is touched by their sorrow; he forgives, and all are set at liberty - much to the dismay of Osmin, who would prefer to see them all brutally executed. (Finale: "Never will I thy kindness forget.")
Performance info:
Times:
Season 2008/2009
- 19th November 2008 @ 19:00
- 23rd November 2008 @ 19:30
- 1st May 2009 @ 19:00
- 4th May 2009 @ 19:00
- 6th May 2009 @ 19:00
- 8th May 2009 @ 19:00
- Running Time:
3 hrs 5 mins
The State Opera was built to coincide with Friedrich II idealistic view that the arts, science and politics should be symbolised through great architecture. He commissioned his friend and architect, Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff with the job and it was built by 1744. On August 18, 1843 the Opera house was destroyed by fire. A new opera building, with Carl Friedrich Langhans as architect, was inaugurated the following Autumn. In the 1920's the Opera house underwent a major reconstruction and reopened in April 1928. Many famous people have graced the stage such as Felix von Weingartner, Karl Muck, Richard Strauss, and Leo Blech.
Travel INFO
U-Bahn: Hausvogteiplatz (U2), Französische Straße (U6), Friedrichstraße (U2)
S-Bahn: Unter den Linden (S1, S2, S25), Friedrichstraße (S1, S2, S3, S5, S7, S9, S25)
Bus: 100, 147, 157, 200, 257, 348
Few parking space in front of the house.
There is a taxi stand in front of the house.
Underground car park Bebelplatz:
The »opera rate« is 4 EUR. It is valid from 1 hour before the start of the performance until 11.59pm.
When entering the car park please buy a short-term parking ticket. At the pay machine please
press »opera rate« (»Operntarif«).
Supplier
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl It
Newsvine
Reddit
Stumble Upon
Yahoo! My Web