All things Turkish were the rage in 18th century Europe, and Mozart joined the parade with this singspiel, a sprightly little piece about a Spaniard rescuing his beloved who, along with her servants, has been captured by pirates and sold as a slave to the wealthy and fabulous Pasha Selim. After many comic antics in the harem involving the parted lovers and the amorous tribulations of her servants, the Pasha frees them all and the opera ends with a “vaudeville,” in which both reunited lovers sing a verse and all join in for a chorus praising his goodness. In this performance at the Salzburg Music Festival, with the Mozarteum Orchestre Salzburg under the baton of Marc Minkowski, the action has been updated to the present time, with mixed results, especially since part of the appeal of this opera has always been its emphasis on the exotic, with rich costumes and the mystery of the harem. Although not terribly intrusive, the mishmash of costumes (including women in striped pantsuits strutting their stuff behind barbed wire) weakens the action and definitely detracts from the comic effect (although other touches, such as the addition of Arabic dialogue and Turkish music, reinforce the original concept). Paul Groves, who makes a particularly sweet-voiced tenor hero, is the standout in a generally able cast. If you can forego the tampering with tradition, this newer production--presented in DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound--is worth picking up. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)
Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)
(1997) 159 min. In German w/English subtitles. DVD: $29.99. Image Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 18, Issue 4
Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)
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