Credits:

Garry Bertini, Berlin Deutsche Oper Orchestra

Description:

Belmonte, a Spanish nobleman, comes to the governors haremwhere his fiance, Constanza, is being held captivein search of her after she fell into the hands of pirates and was sold to Governor Selim. With the help of his servant Pedrillo and BlondePedrillos lover and Constances maidthey all plot an escape from the harem, but their plan is foiled when they are discovered by Osmin, the governors guard. Selim learns that Belmonte is the son of his sworn enemy and is about to order his execution, but From 1781 to 1782, this Singspiel (a play driven by dialogue rather than recitative) was commissioned by Emperor Joseph II of Austria. It is an interesting opera in which the characterization is relatively simple for a Mozart work, and it reflects the fascination with Turkish culture that was popular at the time. The music is beautiful, and the arias scattered throughout