Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Returning to the COC stage after an absence of nearly 40 years is Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio (Die Entführung aus dem Serail) in a new COC production from Lebanese-Canadian Wajdi Mouawad, a playwright and director whose work is internationally recognized for its moral impulse. His reinterpretation of Mozart’s opera—a piece about relations between Enlightenment-era Europeans and Muslim Turks—was first presented in 2016 at Opéra de Lyon, where the New York Times suggested Mouawad’s artistic vision could be an example of opera becoming an agent of change. Seven performances take place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on February 7, 13, 16, 18, 22, and 24, 2018.
The Abduction from the Seraglio tells the story of Europeans taken captive by a Muslim pasha in the Ottoman Empire and the efforts of their beloveds to rescue them. The possibility of a violent culture clash seems inevitable but Mouawad’s direction avoids caricature and cultural stereotypes, while heightening the humanity of Mozart’s characters and maintaining the integrity of the original score. He has reworked and modernized some of the original text, introduced his own dialogue, and reframes the narrative with a new prologue. In making these changes, Mouawad was motivated by the desire to challenge the confrontational binary of East versus West.
Leading the cast is Canadian Jane Archibald, the COC’s inaugural artist-in-residence, in one of her most acclaimed and favourite roles. She brings her “commanding, compassionate soprano” (New York Times) to the character of Konstanze, which she performed in this production’s 2016 premiere in France. She is joined by rising star Swiss tenor Mauro Peter who makes his Canadian debut as Belmonte, Konstanze’s fiancé, and was praised as “a revelation” (Bachtrack) in a recent performance of the role at La Scala.
Two recent Ensemble Studio graduates return to the COC stage as Konstanze’s fellow captives: soprano Claire de Sévigné is Blonde, a role in which she seemed to “fully flourish” (Bachtrack) at Opernhaus Zürich, and Owen McCausland, with his “ringing tenor tones” (Vancouver Classical Music), sings Pedrillo, Belmonte’s servant and Blonde’s betrothed.
Croatian bass Goran Jurić is Osmin, the Pasha’s overseer who is given new depth and humanity through Mouawad’s staging details and revised dialogue, and was praised for a “sublime performance” (Toronto Star) as Sarastro in the COC’s 2017 production of The Magic Flute. Returning to Mouawad’s production from the 2016 premiere is German actor Peter Lohmeyer in the spoken role of the Pasha, Bassa Selim.
Last heard at the COC in 1980, The Abduction from the Seraglio is conducted by COC Music Director Johannes Debus. Musically, the opera is considered the first of Mozart’s great masterpieces. It’s characterized by the use of unusual instruments such as cymbals, Turkish drums, piccolo flutes and triangles and contains some of the composer’s most beautiful music.
This production of The Abduction from the Seraglio contrasts elegant, 18th-century period costumes by Emmanuelle Thomas with a minimalist, yet sophisticated, set design by Emmanuel Clolus. Lighting design is by Eric Champoux. Revival director Valérie Nègre, a frequent collaborator of Mouawad, stages its Toronto presentation.
All performances of the COC’s production of The Abduction from the Seraglio feature the COC Orchestra and Chorus. The opera is sung in German and presented by the COC with English SURTITLES™.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets for The Abduction from the Seraglio range from $35 – $225 and box seats, when available, are $350. Tickets are now on sale, available online at coc.ca, by calling 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office (145 Queen St. W.). For more information on specially priced tickets available to young people under the age of 15, standing room, Opera Under 30 presented by TD Bank Group, student groups and rush seating, visit coc.ca.
Photo: Jane Archibald as Konstaze as Opéra de Lyon. © 2016 Bertrand Stofleth.
2017-12-06
Toronto: Wajdi Mouawad directs the COC's new production of "The Abduction from the Seraglio"