Product Details

• Actors: Eva Mei, Patrizia Ciofi, Rainer Trost, Kurt Rydl
• Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: German
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Tdk DVD Video
• DVD Release Date: June 17, 2003
• Run Time: 136 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00009P1OF
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,535 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "You'll Fall In Love with Osmin and Blonde", December 7, 2003

By 

Mr John Haueisen (WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart - The Abduction from the Seraglio / Mehta, Mei, Ciofi, Trost, Rydl, Montazeri, John, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Florence (DVD)

You will likely enjoy every aspect of this production of Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio (sung in German, with English, French, Spanish, and Italian subtitles, Zubin Mehta conducting the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The subtitles are out of the way, and easy to read against a black background.)

As seems so often the case, scenes are stolen by the exceptional Blonde and Osmin (Patrizia Ciofi and Kurt Rydl) with their imaginative acting and sense of humor, balanced by remarkable singing. I cannot imagine that Mozart would not be delighted at their portrayal.

The stage sets and costumes are classic, bright, colorful, and a real treat for the eyes. Watch Blonde, with Osmin or Pedrillo, or Osmin's "Vivat Bacchus" dance. Never have Mozart's happy melodies found a more ideal incarnation!

You'll absolutely fall in love with the entire cast, the production people, and Zubin Mehta, who all put together such a lovely piece. You'll find you can't watch it just once--you'll come back for more. It's delightful!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First rate, September 5, 2004

By 

R. P Winthrop (Farmville, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart - The Abduction from the Seraglio / Mehta, Mei, Ciofi, Trost, Rydl, Montazeri, John, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Florence (DVD)

Only Mozart would turn a play about slavery, abduction and torture into a cheerful romp. From the minute you see the stuffed alligator you realize all will turn out well. This is Mozart at his most cheerful and up beat. Well sung and acted, Kurt Rydl and Patrizia Ciofi are particularly fine as Osman and Blonde. Rydl looks a bit like one of the Three Stooges, has the comic timing of W.C. Fields and has a spectacular bass voice.

The sets are elegant, clever and appropriate and the production doesn't take itself too seriously. it may not be one of the great operas, but second tier Mozart is better than most composers magnum opus. Very enjoyable.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fantastic!! Is pleasing to the eyes and ears., May 27, 2005

By 

K. Nash (MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart - The Abduction from the Seraglio / Mehta, Mei, Ciofi, Trost, Rydl, Montazeri, John, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Florence (DVD)

I bought this DVD not knowing what to expect (was my first opera on DVD), but was not disappointed when I watched it. Mozart is my favorite composer of all time and I recently decided to collect his operas on DVD. So, I tried to search Amazon for a really good production of "The Abduction from the Seraglio." Well, I found it! This DVD is absolutely FANTASTIC and I don't feel I need to buy any other of this opera! When I got it I decided to watch a little of it before bed and then watch the rest tomorrow, but I actually ended up staying up late and watching the whole thing because I liked it so much! Everyone is excellent in their singing and acting, and are perfect for playing their characters. They were all a joy to watch and listen to. Most notably, though, in my opinion, is Eva Mei (who plays Constanza)- her voice is absolutely brilliant, and she sings the arias better than anyone I have heard on CD. I am a big fan of hers now and have also bought "The Marriage of Figaro" (Live from the Zurich Opera House) on DVD with Eva Mei playing the Countess (also recommended.) The set and costumes in "Seraglio" are wonderful- very magical, colorful, and true to 18th century Turkey. The whole singspiel is in original German, but you can choose to have English subtitles (there are also a list of other lanquages.) The picture comes in very clear and the sound is excellent. So, to end my review, I have to say that if you are looking for an excellent "Abduction," this is it! Not that I have seen others to compare to, but I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with this one. You will probably find yourself watching it over again and again, like me. :)