By Jovita McCleod
Staff Writer
A wealthy Turkish industrialist has abducted two American women. The women’s fiancés are attempting to rescue them from their foreign captor who is suspected of terrorist activities.
This is the modernized story of Mozart’s opera “The Abduction from the Seraglio,” playing tonight and Saturday in Smothers Theatre. The adaptation of the story sounds similar to something that might be seen on CNN recently.
The story is set on an island off of Turkey. Pepperdine senior Miguel Villahermosa plays Belmonte, the Spanish aristocrat who meets up with his American friend Pedrillo, played by junior Jason Martin. Upon reuniting, the two set out to rescue their fiancées from captivity by the Turkish Pasha Selim played by junior Brandon Birtwistle.
The fiancées, Constanze, played by senior Elena De Mattos, and Blonde, senior Jessica Tivens must thwart off two of the abductors pining for their affection — Osmin and Pasha. Osmin, an old grumpy man played by senior Eric Downs, desires Blonde and is naturally predisposed to hate Pedrillo because of his relationship with Blonde. Pasha, the agitator of the whole incident, desires Constanze, who only longs to be rescued by her fiancé Belmonte.
The story is comical and the music is beautiful, but this is more than a light comedy. According to Director Dr. Henry Price, there is more to be gained from this opera. “If you miss the humanity you’ve missed everything,” Price said. “If you don’t believe the depth of emotion — love and fear — then you miss the whole point.”
In order for modern audiences to better understand the humanity of the opera, Price adapted the story and places the events in the latter part of the 20th century. Price said he hopes this will create characters recognizable to modern audiences.
The core of the story is the same, but specific aspects of the opera have been changed. Most notably the conflict, which is between the Turkish and the English in the original, is now between a group vaguely described as Middle Easterners and Americans. The change could be both provocative and a bit disconcerting to audiences, especially when Osmin, dressed in traditional Middle Eastern clothing, spills out anti-western remarks and sings, “I hate the USA,” while Pedrillo holds up an American flag in defiance.
The music department is aware of the somewhat sensitive content. “The story of this opera is important to be examined in our own time because of the Middle Eastern clash,” said Price, who is aware that some people might be offended about a story with Middle Easterners holding Americans hostage. Price points out that in the end it is the Arab leader who makes peace. Price said he believes Mozart’s music will overwhelm any offense along with what he describes as a compassionate ending to the story.
The process to present “The Abduction From the Seraglio” began in September 2002. Theater students and faculty built the set and Carol Hack, costume designer for the Pepperdine Theater Department, created completely original costumes for most of the roles. Valery Ryvkin of Opera Santa Barbara, a conductor for the San Diego Opera and an assistant conductor for the New York City Metropolitan Opera, 
has come in as an artistic director and guest conductor.
After all of the intense time put into the opera, the cast members say they have a greater appreciation for the story it tells. “It is a rare opportunity to see Mozart done in the modern day with such risks and modern application,” Martin said.
Price said he hopes audiences will enjoy what he says is, “some of the most glorious music ever written” and that they will understand what Mozart put into all of his work — the human heart.
“The Abduction from the Seraglio” premieres tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for Pepperdine students, $12 for faculty and staff and $15 for the general public.
February 20, 2003
