Mozart Die Entführung aus dem Serail opera to libretto by Johann Gottlieb Stephanie after Christoph Friedrich Bretzner). Directed 2017 at La Scala by Mattia Testi reviving the beloved 1965 production of Giorgio Strehler at the Salzburg Festival. Stars Lenneke Ruiten (Konstanze), Sabine Devieilhe (Blonde), Mauro Peter (Belmonte), Maximilian Schmitt (Pedrillo), Tobias Kehrer (Osmin), Cornelius Obonya (Pasha Selim), and Marco Merlini (A servant). Zubin Mehta conducts the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus (Chorus Master Bruno Casoni). Carla Ceravolo revives set designs by Luciano Damiani; Sybille Ulsamer revives costumes by Luciano Damian; lighting by Marco Filibeck. Directed for TV by Daniela Vismara. Sung in German. Disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Released 2019. Grade: NA
You can see from the front cover that this production has a slightly old-fashion, quaint look (which doubtless looked new and exciting 55 years ago). From the trailer below you can see the use of silhouettes for which this production is known. Will this modern celebration of the old production please everyone — or no one? Well, Gramophone was pleased to name this as Blu-ray of the Month for February 2020, which is a nice endorsement. And in the same issue, Richard Lawrence (at page 89) gives a detailed review assuring us that excellent personal directing and musical values more than make up for any drag that archaic designs, old-fashion conventions (like singers bowing after their arias), and bad subtitles might present to today’s audience.
Here’s the trailer from the Teatro alla Scala:
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