Love, liberation, and powerful emotions: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart created one of the most significant works of German Singspiel with "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" (The Abduction from the Seraglio). At the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, this story of courage, loyalty, and hope unfolds in an opera full of musical brilliance and impressive characters.
In the summer of 1782, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart celebrated his greatest opera success to date with "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" (The Abduction from the Seraglio). The work was composed for the "German National Singing Play" founded by Emperor Joseph II in Vienna and quickly became a milestone in this genre. With his lively mixture of spoken dialogue, virtuoso arias, and impressive ensembles, Mozart created a musical theater of extraordinary expressiveness.
Mozart combined his experiences with the Italian opera tradition with the possibilities offered by German Singspiel. Catchy melodies and vocal virtuosity stand alongside deeply felt emotional moments, while the characters with their different backgrounds and perspectives are clearly drawn.
Mozart's sense of timbre and musical dramaturgy is particularly striking. The music follows the emotional developments of the characters and lends even the smallest moments a powerful rhetorical effect. Language and music are closely intertwined: dialogues, arias, and ensembles form a lively musical theater that continuously captivates the audience's attention.
To this day, "The Abduction from the Seraglio" remains one of Mozart's most popular works – an opera that uniquely combines musical elegance, dramatic tension, and subtle characterization.
Premiere June 27,
Further performances: July 1, 5, 8, and 11, 2026
