Melbourne Opera to Present THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

Following a triumphant debut tour of China, Melbourne Opera (MO) has returned to stage their first opera for 2016 - Mozart's rarely performed singspiel The Abduction from the Seraglio, not staged professionally in Melbourne for over 20 years.

Suzanne Chaundy, who directs all 2016 productions for MO, has set the opera in a 1970s exotic world of glamour and mystery.

"I fell in love with the charm, wit and glorious music of The Abduction from the Seraglio when I first encountered it working with the Victoria State Opera in 1992. Musically this opera is a clear predecessor of The Magic Flute and story-wise reminiscent of Cosi fan tutte in its exploration of complex relationships, fidelity and the allure of the foreign," says Suzanne.

"I have a serious year of work ahead of me with Melbourne Opera, so I am looking forward to having some fun with Seraglio. The story has always reminded me of a James Bond scenario or perhaps an episode of The Persuaders."

When the glamorous Konstanze and her English PA Blonde have been kidnapped, Belmonte and his offsider Pedrillo determine to outwit the Pasha's Chief of Security, the bumbling but terrifying Osmin, to rescue their sweethearts Konstanze and Blonde.

Melbourne Opera has once again assembled an all star cast featuring Herald Sun aria winner Lee Abrahmsen as the imprisoned Konstanze with Hannah Dahlenburg as her smart assistant Blonde, hot on the heels of her principal role in Opera Australia's 2016 production of The Magic Flute.

Highly accomplished international tenor Christopher Lincoln Bogg plays the brave rescuer Belmonte, with MO regular Paul Biencourt as Pedrillo and international bass Eddie Muliaumaseali'i as Osmin, who sings the lowest notes in the operatic repertoire.

Accomplished actor Nick Pelomis plays kidnapping billionaire Pasha Selim. The wonderfully dedicated Melbourne Opera chorus support the main cast as a mix of the Pasha's staff, guards and other beautiful, talented people he has drawn into his world of beauty.

After a sold out inaugural tour of China, Greg Hocking and the Melbourne Opera orchestra have returned to perform Mozart's rarely staged masterpiece.

"This production will complete Melbourne Opera's sequence of great Mozart operas. The Abduction from the Seraglio was a big hit in Mozart's time, not surprising when the music contains such wide variety, from high tragedy to broad comedy. The company is thrilled to have Suzanne back on board leading an outstanding cast of local and international singers," says Conductor and Melbourne Opera Director Greg Hocking.

Tickets to The Athenaeum season are on sale now via (03) 9650 1500 or Ticketek.

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