Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384

In 1781, Mozart left Salzburg feeling constrained and moved to Vienna. This marked the beginning of a new era for the Austrian composer and prestigious commissions soon started pouring in. Indeed, the Austrian Emperor Joseph II soon asked him for a composition in German for the Burgtheater. Enthusiastic about this opportunity to make a name for himself, Mozart composed the first act of an opera in just one month, later titled "Die Entführung aus dem Serail” (The Abduction from the Seraglio; also known as Il Seraglio).

The opera is set in a sumptuous backdrop, supported by a musical exploration with oriental influences to accompany a dynamic and exciting plot. It all begins with the abduction of the beautiful Konstanze, her maid Blondchen, and Pedrillo—the latter's fiancé—by pirates. The valiant Belmonte, promised to Konstanze, sets out to find them and bring them back home, thus saving them from a life of captivity. However, once he arrives in Turkey, he discovers that Pasha Selim has bought his friends! This leads to a series of extravagant palace intrigues which build up until the final resolution...