Mozart authored his singspiel (or comic opera) Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) around 1782. The libretto weaves the tale of Belmonte, who schemes -- with the loyal assistance of servant Pedrillo -- to wheedle his love, Constanze, out of the clutches of Pasha Selim, the Ottoman ruler, in whose seraglio she is confined. François Abou Salem mounted the work at The Salzburg Festival in 1997, and heightened its Middle Eastern flair; a film of that production is now available in this home release. The cast includes Christine Schäfer as Constanze, Paul Groves as Belmonte, and Akram Tillawi as the Pasha Selim. The Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg and the Choir of the Vienna State Opera provide musical accompaniment. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi