Idomeneo

Synopsis

Mozart's first undisputed operatic masterpiece. Intensely dramatic, it contains some of the composer's greatest music. Returning home from the Trojan War, Idomeneo is saved from a storm at sea by the god Neptune. He vows to sacrifice the first person he meets on landing - who turns out to be his own son. A classic tale with poignantly beautiful arias, glorious ensembles and dramatic choral music.

Our Review:

19 June 2010

Katie Mitchell is on record stating that Idomeneo is “very difficult” to bring off as a director. She certainly proved it with her ugly, perverse and wilful production. The slate grey sea frontcloth, visible as the audience entered the auditorium, looked reasonably promising. However when it rose, after Edward Gardner’s Beethovenian interpretation of the overture, our eyes were greeted by an ugly concrete hotel lobby which, for me, evoked chilly Scandinavia rather than sweltering Crete.

Let me state that there is no reason why Mozart’s opera could not work in modern dress given a director who trusts the material. However, Mitchell clearly lacks that necessary trust and so falls back on the curse of modern opera production – Extra-itis. Not for one minute are we allowed to concentrate on a singer delivering an aria since they are constantly upstaged by a procession of waiters, hotel guests, civil servants and drunks. It came as a blesse...

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Latest User Review

Trev - 28 June 2010:

Ouch! The very worst of conceptual direction not paying service to the work - I kept thinking of what Jan Brock would have thought - every Mitchell cliche on show. Stupidly thought thought that we were saved the pointless film bits but no these managed to ruin act three. These people are ROYAL and would not have flunkies passing through every moment pointlessly distracting - she should have the courage to just pause occasionally. At the recognition scene couldn't help but think of Fiona Shaw saying "you are his son.....and he does not know you?" Thankfully the music was fine so the evening was not totally wasted....

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