Ardent encounters in the shadow of the Sublime Porte

DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL

Deutsches Singspiel in drei Aufzügen

Music by W.A. Mozart
Libretto by Johann Gottlieb Stephanie the Younger 


Théâtre des Martyrs
30/06 - 15:00 *
* Gala in collaboration with vtbKultuur vzw
02/07 - 19:00
04/07 - 19:00
07/07 - 15:00

​Tickets : 50€ / 40€
Reductions : +65 & -25

Die Entführung aus dem Serail, the first true masterpiece of German opera, is coming to Brussels as part of the 4th Midsummer Mozartiade festival. This new production will later be performed at Théâtre le Manège in Mons to close the 20th Festival au Carré. Premiered on July 16, 1782 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, “Entführung" 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 could conceive of a fraternity between the West and the East. Even in an era of violent conflict, harmony was what he understood best. But his genius transcends the conventions of turquerie - his music becomes drama, his characters become human beings. 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 succeed in understanding and accepting each other? In this new conflictual encounter, will they choose to follow their own laws or those professed by their forefathers? After all, the Sublime Porte could remain open this time, even if the experience might bruise more than one heart. Perhaps this is why this Mozart masterpiece has so much to tell us today. 

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CAST

Konstanze - Gianna Cañete Gallo
Belmonte - Pierre Derhet
Blonde - Dorine Mortelmans 
Pedrillo - William Blake
Osmin - Shadi Torbey
Bassa Selim - Parbet Chugh

With
the Royal Chambre Orchestra of Wallonia

​Chorus
Irene Garrido, Laurence Van Bellingen, Pauline Lebbe, 
Lotte Verstaen, Kathleen Merken, Blandine Coulon, 
Kenny Ferreira, Mathis Van Cleynenbreugel, Jonathan Vork,
Emmanuel Junk, Damien De Bouver, Tom Vanbogaert

​Actors
Camille Decock, Agathe Meziani, Antonin Compère, Alvaro Siddharta

CREATIVE TEAM

Stage direction – Eric Gobin
Musical direction – David Miller
Assistant conductor – Gabriel Hollander
Movement coach – Françoise Ponthier
German coach - Christiane Gleis 
Sets – Frédéric Philippe
Costumes – Gaël Bros Vandyck
​Lights – Nicola Pavoni

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THE PLOT

At the seaside, in a romantic Turkey, the young Spanish lord Belmonte is searching for his fiancée, Konstanze, who was captured by pirates and then sold to Pasha Selim. Having suffered the same fate, Blonde, her English maidservant, and Pedrillo, Belmonte's manservant, are under the watchful eye of the odious Osmin, guardian of the palace. Ready to die rather than give herself to the Pasha, the beautiful Konstanze rejects his advances, despite the growing attraction she feels for him. With Pedrillo's help, Belmonte manages to break into the palace, where the two compatriots set in motion a plan to free their fiancées. As they are fleeing the palace, the two pairs of lovers are captured and doomed to certain death. In a final twist, the generous Selim grants them clemency, freedom and safe conduct. Whatever could lead him to react in this way? 

PRE-SHOW TALKS

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to see? Join us in the theatre’s “Petite Salle” 60 minutes before the performance for an informative pre-show talk on Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Mozart’s first breakthrough as an opera composer. These talks are the perfect introduction for all audience members, devoted fans and first-time opera goers alike. They will be given again this year by musicologists Arne Herman (in Dutch on Sunday 30.06 and Thursday 04.07) and Hugo Rodriguez (in French on Tuesday 02.07 and Sunday 07.07). 

THEATRE RESTAURANT, LE 22

Michaël Herzl and his team look forward to welcoming you at Le 22 to satisfy your hunger or thirst before or after the show. The Belgo-Peruvian cuisine is light and refined, the drinks warmed or chilled to perfection, the reception friendly, and the service with a smile. The restaurant is open 75 minutes before each performance. You can reserve your table by contacting the ticket office at 02 223 3208 or by sending a message to ​our Facebook page, where you will also find the weekly menu and other novelties.