Opera Atelier presents The Abduction from the Seraglio

Mozart’Äôs The Abduction from the Seraglio fuses comedy and exoticism to brilliant effect

Toronto, ON (October 2, 2008) ’ĶOpera Atelier’Äôs 2008/09 season begins with a new production of Mozart’Äôs The Abduction from the Seraglio which runs at the Elgin Theatre November 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15, 2008. Originally commissioned by Austrian Emperor Joseph II, the opera was an instant success upon its 1782 premiere in Vienna. Opera Atelier’Äôs resident designer Gerard Gauci has created a spectacular new production that evokes the exoticism that enthralled 18^th-century Europe at the time of the opera’Äôs premiere.

The Abduction from the Seraglio presents a classic commedia dell’Äô arte scenario in which a beautiful young person (male or female) is sequestered away from the world by a controlling guardian or spouse. In the opera, the Spanish nobleman Belmonte and his servant Pedrillo plot to rescue their girlfriends Konstanze and Blondie from the harem of Pasha Selim. Mozart’Äôs The Abduction from the Seraglio allows this classic commedia dell’Äô arte plot line to be played out to brilliant effect as the Turkish and European worlds collide in hilarious contrast.

The Abduction from the Seraglio marks the company debut of Canadian tenor Frˆ©dˆ©ric Antoun as Belmonte, American coloratura soprano Amanda Pabyan as his fiancˆ©e Konstanze, and Norwegian-American bass Gustav Andreassen as Osmin, overseer for the Pasha. The production also features soprano Carla Huhtanen in the role of Blondie, Konstanze’Äôs British maid, tenor Lawrence Wiliford as Pedrillo, bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan as Pasha Selim, and Artists of Atelier Ballet. David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Orchestra.

This new production is directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg, Opera Atelier's co-artistic directors, with set designs by Gerard Gauci, costumes by Margaret Lamb, and lighting by Kevin Fraser.

Performances are at Toronto’Äôs Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street) and begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the November 9^th matinee at 3 p.m., and will be sung in German with English SURTITLES^TM with the spoken text delivered in English.