Johan Simons" feisty production of Die Entführung aus dem Serail is an intelligently innovative account of Mozart s 1782 comic tale of abduction, love, loyalty and forgiveness. Kurt Rydl"s Osmin is hilarious, with just the right edge of latent thuggery; Mojca Erdmann"s smart and cheeky Blonde sports a red riding coat, high latex boots and a belt that she is not afraid to use on the men! Laura Aikin s Konstanze, torn between true love and obligation, reveals a vast range of human emotions and Edgaras Montvidas" Belmonte portrays his coming-of-age with clarity and genuine charisma. The performance is whipped up to a feverish pitch in the pit by Constantinos Carydis, the orchestra and chorus responding with fleet virtuosity. This ground-breaking performance delivers everything one could wish for from a Mozart opera, combining thrilling energy with a profound sense of lyrical beauty and truth.