Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail ****
Glyndebourne, 13th June 2015
Franck Saurel (Pasha Selim) and Sally Matthews (Konstanze)
© Richard Hubert Smith
“Too many notes, Herr Mozart,” was Emperor Joseph II’s response to the composer’s new Singspiel Die Entführung aus dem Serail. I feared “Too many words, Sir David,” would be my response on learning that the predicted running time for Glyndebourne’s new production by David McVicar had been extended some 30 minutes beyond previously advertised. Yet, to paraphrase Mozart’s response, there are just as many words as necessary, particularly to give Pasha Selim a more rounded portrait than usual in a splendiferous production, frequently witty but carrying a strong moral message.
Read the full review on Bachtrack.