by KATE WINTER (Soprano)
SINCLAIR LOGAN (Baritone) and THE OLOF SEXTET
THE original name of the Opera which we ,'usually call simply The Seraglio, is The Abduction from the Seraglio. The story was adapted from a play of that day, modified by Mozart himself; it turns on the capture of a fair lady by a Turkish
' Bashaw ' and her rescue' by her faithful lover, a young Spanish gentleman. The whole story is treated in the most light-hearted spirit, and Mozart's gay and tuneful music suits it admirably. It is recorded that when tho Opera was first performed, -in the presence of the Emperor, he thought the scoring too full-it probably was considerably richer than any he was accustomed to—and that he said to Mozart, 'There are too many notes in the music.' If report bo true, Mozart replied that there were just as many as there ought to bo. The Opera has been heard in this country both under Sir Thomas Beecham 's guidance, and afterwards from the B.N.O.C., and one or two of its separate numbers appear frequently in concert programmes. Notable among these are the two airs for bass, ' When a maiden takes your fancy,' and ' Ah, my pretty braco of fellows.' These were specially composed by Mozart for a famous bass of his day with an unusually deep voice, and have always been popular with basses whose lower notes are sufficiently full and resonant' to do them justice.
The Overture is typical of Mozart in his merriest vein ; it is in three sections, the first brisk and sprightly, the second in quieter mood, based on the first scene of the opera, and the third again, like the opening, in bright spirits.
(For 5.0 to 8.45 Programmes sea opposite page.)