Turkish Delight

Like many a young man, all Belmonte wants to do is get with his lady-love, Konstanze. The major obstacle blocking their love? Konstanze's been captured by pirates and then sold to the Turkish Pasha, Selim. (What? It happens.) Now a prisoner of the Pasha's seraglio, Konstanze has only her loyal servant, Blondchen, for company. But not too worry — Belmonte and his wing man, Pedrillo, devise a scheme to bust the ladies out of the joint. Will the two desperados succeed? Not without a great deal of singing — Mozart's opera Abduction from the Seraglio is fast and funny, and full of that beautiful music Amadeus is famous for writing. The Midwest Lyric Opera presents Abduction at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (April 11 and 12) at the Tower Grove Abbey (2336 Tennessee Avenue; 314-838-3285 or www.midwestlyricopera.org). The arias are in German (with English subtitles), but the dialogue is spoken in English for better audience comprehension. Also of note is the fact that all of the performers are locals, with many of them graduates of Washington University's music department. Tickets are $10 to $20.
Fri., April 11; Sat., April 12, 2008