Victorian Opera: Mozart’s “Abduction”

Victorian Opera presents a bold adaptation of Mozart’s early masterpiece, The Abduction from the Seraglio, reimagined as Abduction at the Palais Theatre from 12–16 August. Prepare for the most seductive night at the opera you’ll ever have, featuring a stellar cast including Lyndon Watts (Candide, Hamilton) as beguiling figurehead The Pasha.

Director Constantine Costi (Melbourne Cheremushki) brings a cheeky, modern edge to this classic with a fresh, English-language libretto that delves into themes of lust, obsession and unwavering loyalty. Conductor Chad Kelly leads Orchestra Victoria in a performance grounded in Mozart’s original intentions.

The story follows Blonde and Konstanze, two young women who slip away from their well-meaning but bumbling fiancés, Pedrillo and Belmonte, in search of excitement at the mysterious and hedonistic House of the Pasha.

To meet Mozart’s demanding score, Victorian Opera has assembled a cast of Australia’s most exciting young singers—many returning from celebrated careers in Europe.

Cleo Lee-McGowan and Kyle Stegall star as two of Mozart’s most passionate lovers, Konstanze and Belmonte. They are joined by recent Green Room Award winners Katherine Allen (Candide) and Douglas Kelly (La Rondine) in the roles of Blonde and Pedrillo.

Musical theatre star Lyndon Watts brings irresistible charm to the role of the enigmatic Pasha, in a pivotal non-singing role. Making his company debut, Luke Stoker stars as Osmin, the Pasha’s intense right-hand man.