Search - Mozart - The Abduction from the Seraglio / Mehta, Mei, Ciofi, Trost, Rydl, Montazeri, John, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Florence on DVD

"You'll Fall In Love with Osmin and Blonde"

Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 12/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You will likely enjoy every aspect of this production of Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio (sung in German, with English, French, Spanish, and Italian subtitles, Zubin Mehta conducting the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The subtitles are out of the way, and easy to read against a black background.) As seems so often the case, scenes are stolen by the exceptional Blonde and Osmin (Patrizia Ciofi and Kurt Rydl) with their imaginative acting and sense of humor, balanced by remarkable singing. I cannot imagine that Mozart would not be delighted at their portrayal. The stage sets and costumes are classic, bright, colorful, and a real treat for the eyes. Watch Blonde, with Osmin or Pedrillo, or Osmin's "Vivat Bacchus" dance. Never have Mozart's happy melodies found a more ideal incarnation! You'll absolutely fall in love with the entire cast, the production people, and Zubin Mehta, who all put together such a lovely piece. You'll find you can't watch it just once--you'll come back for more. It's delightful!"

First rate

R. P Winthrop | Farmville, VA United States | 09/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only Mozart would turn a play about slavery, abduction and torture into a cheerful romp. From the minute you see the stuffed alligator you realize all will turn out well. This is Mozart at his most cheerful and up beat. Well sung and acted, Kurt Rydl and Patrizia Ciofi are particularly fine as Osman and Blonde. Rydl looks a bit like one of the Three Stooges, has the comic timing of W.C. Fields and has a spectacular bass voice.

The sets are elegant, clever and appropriate and the production doesn't take itself too seriously. it may not be one of the great operas, but second tier Mozart is better than most composers magnum opus. Very enjoyable."

Truly adorable

James Cottone | NY, | 11/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everything about this performance is adorable and enjoyable Eva Mei and Rainer Trost do a wonderful job with Belmonte and Constanza. The drama is really there for them. The actor who portrays the Pasha Selim is also wonderful. The Pedrillo, Blondchen, and Osmin are equally wonderful. Drama and comedy are equally represented here in a very colorful and lively production. Buy it, it's very enjoyable."

Great complement to Glyndebourne 1980 version

Anthony Paterno | New York | 04/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Audio, picture and camera work are excellent. Mehta conducts with exuberant warm passion, falling down slightly only in the reconcilation scene. Compare Mehta's reconcilation scene's too measured tempi with Gustav Kuhn's estatic tempi in the 1980 Glyndebourne performance. Compare also the 1980 Glyndebourne's Lillian Watson's(Blonde) and Willard White's(Osmin) to Patrizia Ciofi &Kurt Rydl. Watson & White outshine not only in their singing
but in their acting and stage business.Eva Mei's (Costanze) first aria was a shade off pitch but was right on for the remainder of the opera. Abduction is not 2nd tier Mozart. It is a marvel."