Erika Köth - Mozart: ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO, Ach ich liebte, Salzburg 1955

THE SONGBIRD: German soprano Erika Köth (1925 - 1989) was one of the most admired high coloratura sopranos of her era. Her debut was Philine in 1945, and she quickly rose to success throughout Europe and was featured frequently in commercial recordings of opera, operetta, concert works, and lieder. She first appeared in Vienna in 1953 as Queen of the Night; other roles over many seasons until 1977 included Konstanze, Despina, Zerlina, Zerbinetta, Sophie, Musetta, Olympia, Gilda, Rosina, and Lucia. She was a frequent guest at the Salzburg Festival (1955–64) as the Queen of the Night, Konstanze, and Sophie. She also made guest appearances in Berlin, Milan, Paris, and London.

THE MUSIC: Mozart's opera "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" (which I refer to in its English translation) premiered in Vienna in 1782, with Mozart himself conducting. It is considered the best work of the German "Singspiel" format: an opera with spoken dialogue between musical set pieces instead of musical recitatives. Konstanze was written for one of Vienna's star sopranos, Caterina Cavalieri, and has three solo arias, a long duet, and a few ensembles. Her first aria, the highly florid "Ach, ich liebte," conveys how forlorn she is having been separated from her love, Belmonte.

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