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Zaide is an opera, K. 344, written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1780. Emperor Joseph II, in 1778, was in the process of setting up an opera company for the purpose of performing German opera. One condition required of the composer to join this company was that he should write a comic opera. At Salzburg in 1779 he began work on a new "rescue" opera, "Zaide". It contains spoken dialogue, which also classifies it as a "Singspiel", (literally, "singspeak".)
Rescue operas were popular at the time, since, Moslem pirates were preying on Mediterranean shipping, particlarly to obtain female, and male slaves, for various purposes. This story represents a reversal, as Zaide goes to save her beloved, Gomatz. Ludwig Van Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio" is cast in the same mold, with spoken dramatic dialogue, although it is a husband (a political prisoner) who is saved from death in a Spanish prison. He was composing for a libretto by Johann Andreas Schachtner, set in Turkey, which was the scene of his next, completed rescue "Singspiel" (Die Entführung aus dem Serail). Sadly, he would soon abandon "Zaide", to complete work on the aforementioned Abduction from the Seraglio. "Zaide" has since been said to be the foundations of a masterpiece, and received critical acclaim. The work was lost until 1799 when Constanze Mozart, his wife, found it, after Mozart's death, in his scattered manuscripts - it wouldn't be published until 1838, and its first performance was held in Frankfurt on January 27, 1866.
Style
"Zaide" can neither be described as opera buffa or opera seria it contained elements of both forms, and parallels may be drawn to both genre in Mozart's work. "Zaide" is also notable as being the only dramatic piece by Mozart to contain melodrama. This includes spoken dialogue, some of which fall upon modern ears as humorous. However, recent history regarding the tragic events in the Middle East may change the tone of this opera to a more serious content.
Plot Zaide falls in love with Gomatz, a slave, which strikes up jealousy and rage in the Sultan - who happens to also admire her. After capture she chooses a free life with Gomatz than a good life with the Sultan. Allazim encourages the sultan to consider Gomatz as a man - to consider him.
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