Event
THE ABDUCTION OF SERAGLIO
Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 200 min, 2 intermissions
German
About the opera: The Abduction from the Seraglio is a middle-weight Mozart opera; it isnât one of his greatest hits, but it isnât a forgotten or dismissed work either. The average opera fan is familiar with this work, (as it is performed frequently all over the world,) but itâs unlikely that a novice opera-goer or ânon-opera personâ would recognize any of the melodies. However, itâs still an accessible and âfriendlyâ opera â upbeat songs, impressive singing, simple plot and a happy ending.
The style of this production falls somewhere between traditional and contemporary â the singers are dressed as if theyâre from the early 20th century (not the 17th century as Mozart intended), giving the impression that the action takes place in some vague, unspecified past. The pared-down scenery adds to this âtimelessâ effect. The locale is also muted. Mozart wrote this at a time when all things Turkish were very poplar. There is still Turkish influence evidenced in the music, but this production lacks the caricaturized Turkish costumes and sets that would indicate an âexoticâ setting.
Official program note: Mozart premiered The Abduction from the Seraglio in 1782, while a craze for all things Turkish, especially Turkish-style music, swept Western Europe. (Following Abduction, Mozart composed Piano Sonata no. 11 in A major, featuring the famous ârondo alla Turca.â) The characterizations of Turkish characters in the libretto (written by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner and adapted by Gottlieb Stephanie) seem like insensitive caricatures to modern eyes. The cruel and boorish actions of the jailer Osmin are reflected in the âTurkishâ percussion, which plays just when his behavior is the most repulsive. On the other hand, the European heroes of the opera are accompanied by music of classic Mozartean elegance. In many productions today, the entire Turkey vs. Western Europe premise is scrapped in favor of focusing on the true strengths of the opera (which transcend 18th century prejudices): beautiful melodies, inventive musical forms, fully developed characters, and a comedic plot, which is easily divorced from time and place.
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LocationThe Charles Theatre
1711 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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