Baker's Student Encyclopedia of Music | Abduction from the Seraglio, The

(Die Entführung aus dem Serail). Opera by WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, 1782. A young woman is captured by a Turkish pasha. A youth in love with her tries to rescue her, but his attempt is foiled by the wily pasha, who yields in the finale to a sudden generous impulse and lets her go with her lover. Mozart cleverly uses "Turkish" tunes and rhythms, along with exotic rhythm instruments, to give the score an "Oriental" feeling.