A co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Colorado, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Minnesota Opera and Opera Pacific.

Belmonte’s lover Constanze is being held captive by Pasha Selim. If Belmonte is going to rescue Constanze he will have to get past the Pasha’s steward Osmin first. This may not necessarily sound like the premise of a comedy but The Abduction from the Seraglio is one of Mozart’s wittiest and most delightful creations.

The joyous overture suggests a boisterous sense of fun, which is carried right through to the final curtain with stratospheric arias and blissful ensembles along the way. Rinaldo Alessandrini, known to WNO audiences for his interpretations of Monteverdi, returns to conduct this glorious comedy.

James Robinson’s stylish production is irresistibly entertaining, setting the opera on the Orient Express of the 1920s en route from Paris to Istanbul.

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The Abduction from the Seraglio is sung in German with an electronic surtitles screen above the stage carrying a translation in English (and Welsh in Wales) of everything that is being sung - so it's easy to follow all the action! Check when booking your tickets that a view of the surtitles is available from the seats you chose.


Running time approximately 3 hours

Supported by

and the WNO Partnership

Conductor Rinaldo Alessandrini except 1 April Anthony Negus Director James Robinson Set and Costume Designer Allen Moyer Costume Designer Anna R. Oliver Lighting Designer Paul Palazzo