Die Entführung aus dem Serail

Created as part of Emperor Joseph II’s push to establish a tradition of German-language operas in 18th-century Vienna, Die Entführung aus dem Serail is a singspiel (a genre of opera in which musical numbers are juxtaposed with scenes of spoken dialogue) that follows a Spanish nobleman as he tries to free his beloved from a Turkish harem. Mozart composed the opera when he was just 26 years old, and it not only contains some of his most dazzling vocal writing, it also overflows with youthful energy, creativity, and exuberance. In this radio broadcast, Maestro Marek Janowski takes the podium to lead a delightful cast, including soprano Zdzislawa Donat as the captive Constanze, soprano Erie Mills as her crafty maid, Blonde, and tenor Gösta Winbergh as Belmonte, the man determined to rescue her. Rounding out the principal cast are tenor Heinz Zednik as Belmonte’s sidekick, Pedrillo, and bass Matti Salminen as Osmin, the seraglio’s unbending overseer. And in the speaking role of the Pasha, listen for Nico Castel, the noted tenor, translator, and author who appeared in nearly 800 Met performances.