Mozart's Turkish Side

Mozart's Turkish Side The 18th century was a period of unprecedented contact between Europeans and subjects of the Ottoman Empire, a situation that spilled over into all areas of society. "Turkish" customs and art became the popular rage in Vienna, as the fear of actual Ottoman a superior opera, with his creation of Die Enfuhrung aus dem Serail conquest abated. Mozart sought to tap into this current, and produce (The Abduction from the Seraglio). The …

…characters are believable and sympathetic, even the Turkish ones. This may appear unremarkable to out ears, but at the time is was not very common to portray Turks in such a favorable light. This reason may be why the opera works so well. The Pasha is the key figure, because his generosity allows Belmonte and Contanza to reunite. Only Osmin is unhappy at the end, but where would a story be without a bad guy?