Description

Part One

The Spanish nobleman Belmonte arrives at the estate of Bassa Selim searching for his lost fiancée Konstanze. She was kidnapped by sea pirates together with her servant, the English maid Blonde and his own servant Pedrillo. He meets Osmin the supervisor of the estate who hostilely refuses him any helpful information. Only after reuniting with his servant Pedrillo does Belmonte learn that Konstanze, as well as the pair Blonde and Pedrillo, were bought as slaves by Bassa Selim. The Bassa loves Konstanze but she has never answered his requests. As a European converted to Islam, he »still has enough sensitivity, that none of his wives were ever forced into love«. Belmonte is shortly convinced of this as he secretly watches the Bassa and his entourage with Konstanze’s appear. The Bassa again succumbs to Konstanze’s wish to postpone her decision. Pedrillo is able to present Belmonte to Bassa Selim as an architect and builder, whereby making it able for him to gain entrance to the palace, against the resistance and opposition of Osmin.

Although given as a slave to Osmin as a gift, Blonde is very self-assured and knows exactly how to defend herself from the romantic approaches of the infa- tuated Turk. Again, Bassa Selim tries to gain Konstanze’s favour although she feels obligated to Belmonte. She would rather suffer the offended the Bassa’s tor- tures than be unfaithful to Belmonte.


Part Two

The desired reunion is fast approaching and Belmonte is waiting for his beloved. As the two European couples finally face each other, their joy becomes severely troubled: Belmonte and Pedrillo suddenly doubt the faithfulness of their women. Konstanze and Blonde are deeply hurt.

The planned midnight abduction of the women fails, because Osmin wakes up from his drunken stupor arranged by Pedrillo too soon. Osmin realizes his hour of revenge has come at last. As Belmonte begs for mercy, the Bassa recognizes him as the son of his archrival, the man who once stole his beloved from him and forced him to flee his homeland.

Both couples await their deaths. However, the Bassa gives them their freedom: »If one cannot gain your favour even by good deeds, then one should get rid of you.« Everyone joins in a song of praise of Bassa’s generosity, except Osmin who does not portray correctly, boiling in an impotent, helpless rage.

The Bassa is left alone.