Mozart's Idomeneo
Peter Sellars (stage director), Teodor Currentzis (conductor) — With Russell Thomas (Idomeneo), Paula Murrihy (Idamante), Ying Fang (Ilia)...
Cast
Peter Sellars — Movie director, stage director
George Tsypin — Set designer
Lemi Ponifasio — Choreographer
Robby Duiveman — Costume designer
James F. Ingalls — Lighting designer
Antonio Cuenca Ruiz — Dramaturgy
Russell Thomas — Idomeneo
Program notes
Considered to be one of his most brilliant creations, Mozart’s Idomeneo is a perfect masterpiece for the two enfants terribles of classical music and opera staging, conductor Teodor Currentzis and stage director Peter Sellars. Joined by the exceptional voices of Russell Thomas, Paula Murrihy, Ying Fang, and Nicole Chevalier, this is a one-of-a-kind performance of the score in the city where its creator was born!
The tale is harrowing: the old king Idomeneo promises to Neptune that he will sacrifice the first person he meets if the god saves him from shipwreck... Yet, it's his own son Idamante who first arrives as part of his rescue party! The story becomes all the more intriguing when one considers the stormy relationship between Wolfgang and Leopold Mozart, who was an incredibly demanding stage parent to his genius son. Commisioned by Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria, Idomeneo was also the ideal excuse for the Prince to make shine the legendary skills of his ensemble, the Mannheim Orchestra, "an army of generals" —according chronicler and ambassador Charles Burney—, by the way, a suitable description also for renowned period ensemble Freiburger Barockorchester!
Photo: © SF / Ruth Walz
