Opera

Mozart's Idomeneo

Peter Sellars (stage director), Teodor Currentzis (conductor) — With Russell Thomas (Idomeneo), Paula Murrihy (Idamante), Ying Fang (Ilia)...

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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

Paula Murrihy — Idamante

Ying Fang — Ilia

Nicole Chevalier — Elettra

Levy Sekgapane — Arbace

Issachah Savage — Gran Sacerdote

Jonathan Lemalu — Nettuno / La Voce

Brittne Mahealani Fuimaono — Dancer

Arikitau Tentau — Dancer

David Steffens — Bass

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

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