Die Entführung aus dem Serail

Premiered on July 16, 1782 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Die Entführung aus dem Serail was an absolutely new opera, full of ideas, Mozart's greatest operatic success during his lifetime. Europeans in captivity in the Muslim world were commonplace in the 18th century. Yet, in the spirit of the Enlightenment, Mozart was able to conceive of a fraternity between the West and the East. After all, even in an era of violent conflict, harmony was what he understood best. But his genius transcends the conventions of mere turquerie - his music becomes drama, his characters become human. Can living together enable these flesh-and-blood characters to overcome their differences in culture, religion or gender? In the closed universe of the seraglio - in this field of tension between fear and fascination - will they finally succeed in understanding and accepting each other? In this conflict-ridden encounter, will they choose to write their own laws or to follow those professed by their forefathers? After all, the Sublime Porte could remain open this time, even if the experience might leave more than one heart badly bruised. Perhaps this is why this Mozart masterpiece has so much to tell us today.