Seraglio palace, the other (in the sense of enclosure for wild animals) from Late Latin: "", derived from "serare", to close, which comes from "sera", a door-bar. In the context of the "turquerie" fashion, the seraglio became the subject of works of art, the most famous perhaps being Mozart's Singspiel, "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" ("The Abduction from the Seraglio"). In Montesquieu's "Persian Letters", one of the main characters, a Persian from the city of Isfahan, is described as an occupant of a seraglio. "The Seraglio" may refer specifically to the Topkapı Palace, the residence of the former Ottoman Sultans in
Maria Nemeth repertoire. Star soprano at the Vienna State Opera from 1925 until 1946, she also appeared at the Paris Opéra in 1928, as Constanze in the "Abduction from the Seraglio", and at the Royal Opera House in London, as "Turandot", in 1931. Her amazing voice and remarkable technique enabled her to excel in roles as diverse as Constanze and Queen of Night, Amelia and Aida. Considered one of the best Donna Anna, Tosca, and Turandot of her time. She also tackled Wagner roles, such as Brünnhilde, with success. She died in Vienna. Maria Nemeth Maria Nemeth (Hungarian: Németh Mária; March 13,