Turkey. Eighteenth century. Belmonte, a Spanish nobleman, has been separated by pirates from Constanze, the woman he loves. He has reason to believe that Constanze was sold as a slave to the Pasha Selim, and he has tracked her to the Pasha's estate. Here in the Ottoman Empire-a world 18th-century Europe thought aggressive, barbaric and faintly ludicrous-four Westerners find one another, themselves, and new appreciation of the East.
ACT I
At the outer wall Belmonte encounters the dour gatekeeper, Osmin, who rudely dismisses his overtures and scares him away. Belmonte then finds his own manservant, Pedrillo, who confirms that Constanze, her English chambermaid Blonde, and he are now indeed property of the Pasha. Pedrillo has become gardener to the Pasha, a cultivated man whose building and landscaping achievements are renowned. Pedrillo enjoys unusual freedom on the grounds, as well as the hatred of Osmin, to whom the Pasha has given his sweetheart Blonde as a gift. When Belmonte hears that the Pasha loves Constanze and has been pursuing her, he wonders if she has remained faithful to him. Belmonte and Pedrillo make a plan to abduct Constanze and Blonde that night and escape.
When the Pasha and Constanze return from a boating excursion, Belmonte sees Constanze at last and listens as the Pasha offers his love to her, threatening force if she does not accept him. Later, Pedrillo introduces Belmonte to the Pasha as a talented architect, and the Pasha sets an appointment for the next day-but Osmin still won't allow Belmonte into the palace as he suspects Belmonte of having come to steal women from the harem. Belmonte and Pedrillo trick Osmin, and Belmonte manages to gain access.
ACT II
Osmin orders Blonde to love him, as he has every reason to expect that a woman belonging to him should. Blonde is appalled. She will not accept that women are wares to be traded, and she explains that Western women prefer to be courted with tenderness, kindness and humor. Osmin has trouble accepting this, though Blonde enchants him. Later, Blonde tries to comfort Constanze and, understanding that her mistress's distress hinges on an attraction to the Pasha, encourages her to make a choice. Constanze, with no time left to stall the Pasha, mourns her separation from Belmonte, and when the Pasha appears she struggles with her conflicting feelings. When he speaks of the tortures she, and even he, will suffer if she rejects him, she appeals to his reason and humanity but ultimately stands up to him. Blonde wonders at Constanze's strength: if Pedrillo were not around she is not sure she could resist an appeal from the heart. Constanze's behavior also impresses the Pasha: he wonders momentarily if she might find her strength in a hope of escape.
Pedrillo tells Blonde that Belmonte has found them. He explains that they will all escape at midnight after he has drugged Osmin, and that meanwhile Constanze can speak to Belmonte in the palace after dark. Pedrillo then musters his courage and succeeds in subduing Osmin with spiked wine. Constanze and Belmonte are briefly but happily reunited. Belmonte and Pedrillo confess their jealous fears to Constanze and Blonde, and both women are confused and hurt. But all four talk it through and find their balance again, then they separate to await the hour appointed for the escape.
ACT III
Belmonte and Pedrillo meet under Constanze's window just before midnight. Pedrillo brings a ladder and sings a serenade, and at length the women appear. In the midst of the escape, Osmin weaves around the corner to find the ladder. The four lovers are captured in flight. Osmin, outraged by their deceit (particularly Blonde's), promises torture and death. When the Pasha appears, Belmonte tells him he is from a noble family that will pay handsomely for his release. His name is Lostados. This name is not new to the Pasha. He suffered the great humiliation of his life-loss of love and homeland-to another Lostados, Belmonte's father. The Pasha asks Belmonte what his father would do were he in the Pasha's position now. The four captives are bound and left alone as the Pasha and Osmin go to prepare their torture. Constanze tells Belmonte that death cannot stop their love, it can only free them to love peacefully, and Belmonte understands that with her he can do anything, even welcome death. This is the real end of his long search for love. The Pasha returns and forgives them, because he will not repay ill with ill and because he loves Constanze. He frees both pairs of lovers and sends them home, causing Osmin great anguish. Taking their leave, the four lovers offer their respect and gratitude for the gifts the Pasha has given them.
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