Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail ***
Grange Festival, 24th June 2018
“Too many notes, dear Mozart.” The authenticity (and translation) of Joseph II’s judgement on The Abduction from the Seraglio may be creaky but the Emperor’s quip is oft-repeated possibly because – whisper it – the opera can sometimes feel tediously long. “There are just as many notes as there should be,” was the composer’s stout defence, and you get the feeling John Copley would agree. Tackling the opera at the grand old age of 85, the veteran director’s production for The Grange Festival fairly zipped along… without cutting too many of Mozart’s notes.
Jonathan Lemalu (Osmin) and Paul Curievici (Pedrillo)
© Simon Annand
Read the full review on Bachtrack.