Composer

:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1780

Average_duration

:

84:48

Movement_count

:

16

Movement ....

Zaide is an unfinished opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1780. The plot revolves around the story of a slave girl named Zaide who falls in love with a Christian man named Gomatz. The opera is set in a Turkish harem, and the story explores themes of love, freedom, and oppression. The opera was composed in Salzburg, Austria, in 1780, and was intended to be performed for the Archbishop of Salzburg. However, Mozart never completed the work, and it was not performed during his lifetime. The score was rediscovered in the 19th century, and since then, various attempts have been made to complete the work. The opera consists of two acts and six scenes. The first act opens with a chorus of slaves lamenting their captivity. Zaide, a slave girl, enters and sings of her desire for freedom. She is interrupted by the arrival of Gomatz, a Christian man who has been captured and enslaved. Zaide and Gomatz fall in love, but their happiness is short-lived when the Sultan, who desires Zaide, orders her to marry him. In the second act, Zaide and Gomatz plan to escape from the harem. They are aided by Allazim, a fellow slave who is secretly a Christian. However, their plan is discovered, and they are captured and brought before the Sultan. The Sultan offers to spare their lives if Zaide agrees to marry him, but she refuses. Gomatz and Allazim are sentenced to death, but Zaide begs the Sultan to spare their lives. Moved by her love and courage, the Sultan frees them and allows them to leave the harem. The music of Zaide is characterized by its exoticism and use of Turkish-inspired melodies and rhythms. The opera features arias, duets, and choruses that showcase Mozart's mastery of vocal writing. The score also includes a number of instrumental interludes, including a Turkish march and a serenade for flute and strings. Despite its unfinished state, Zaide remains a fascinating work that offers a glimpse into Mozart's creative process and his exploration of themes that would later appear in his more mature operas. The opera has been performed and recorded in various versions, and continues to be a popular choice for opera companies and audiences alike.

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