Act 2 of Mozart's Opera 'Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail' ('The Seraglio')
from the Glyndebourne Festival Opera House

The action takes place on the coast of Turkey, in the 16th Century

Scene, The Garden of the Palace

Cast

The Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra
The Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Conductor, Fritz Busch
Producer, Carl Ebert

In a Radio Times article on Mozart's The Seraglio Scott Goddard condenses the story of Act 2 as follows: 'Act 2 begins with a diverting scene between Osmin and Blonde wherein he commands her, the captive slave, to love him, the master. He lets it be understood that this is according to Turkish custom, and it is equally clear that he most potently desires it. She, very pert and thoroughly English in her refusal to be tamed, leads him a dance and brings him to a state bordering on hysteria. As he rushes off in comic despair, Constanze enters, and after discussing with Blonde their sad, precarious condition, breaks out into the splendid aria "Martern aller Artern" (Torments of every kind)...

A scene between Blonde and Pedrillo follows, and then Constanze enters and is joined by Belmonte. The four lovers thereupon sing a lengthy dramatic ensemble beginning with the raptures of reunion, changing to a semblance of sadness when the men question the fidelity of the women, finishing with the relief and gaiety of a general forgiveness and understanding. The act ends with the escape planned and agreed upon.'