Original score in fantastic condition: Mozart's unauthorized adaptation of Bretzner's best-known work
The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384
Vienna (Austria) — 1782

The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384
Vienna (Austria) — 1782
The hero Belmonte rescues his beloved Konstanze from a harem in a story by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner (1748–1807)
It was brilliantly adapted into an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), despite not having Bretzner’s permission
The original manuscript of the opera, which premiered on July 16th, 1782 in Vienna, has survived in excellent condition
The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384
- The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384
- Entführung aus dem Serail
Short Description
This famous opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a highly profitable success but one that created controversy. His opera was based on a story by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner, but Bretzner never gave Mozart permission to adapt his work, and made his displeasure with Mozart well-known. Nonetheless, success speaks for itself: Mozart hardly needed two months for his adaptation, which became one of his greatest triumphs.
The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384
Mozart’s seven great operas, his brilliant contribution to musical theater and world culture, are unequalled in their depth of human characterization and musical expression. Here we have the original score of one of the seven great operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791): Die Entführung aus dem Serail. The German libretto was written by Gottlieb Stephanie (1741–1800) and is an adaptation of a work with the same name by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner (1748–1807). Bretzner was not consulted, nor was his permission given to adapt his original work, and subsequently complained loudly and publically about the theft. Nonetheless, once the text was given over to Mozart’s genius, the opera was composed in only two months. In the story, the hero Belmonte is assisted by his servant Pedrillo in the rescue of his beloved Konstanze from the seraglio or harem of Pasha Selim. Mozart’s opera premiered on July 16th, 1782 in Vienna and was personally conducted by Mozart himself. The work was a huge success and financial windfall for the perpetually impoverished Mozart. Thankfully, the original manuscript has survived in excellent condition.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384
Entführung aus dem Serail - Type
- Manuscript on paper
- Origin
- Vienna (Austria)
- Date
- 1782
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384 “
The Abduction from the Seraglio K. 384
- Publisher
- Bärenreiter-Verlag – Kassel, 2006
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Dietrich Berke, Ulrich Konrad, David Packard
- More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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