Idomeneo by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, October 25th, 2001

Production

    The production by Jean-Pierre Ponelle is well know being already available on VHS and DVD released by Pioneer. I strongly recommend the DVD which has better sound and picture. It is an excellent production, the state is dominated by a single set that resembles a Greek city with large columns and the face of Neptune in the back sometimes with an astonishing three-dimensional look. Depending on the situation, the backdrop projection changes also. The lightning is superb and the characters interact with one another even when they are not singing. For example, when Elektra says she is jealous of Illia, Illia appears to the side. I strongly recommend it.

Cast

    Placido Domingo is a marvel! He is 61 years old and shows no sign of tiring. His voice is more beautiful than ever, the voice is even stronger than a couple of years back and the tone simplily beautiful. Not a note wrong, perfect pitch and a great interpretation, a really noble and tortured Idomeneo. Let's hope he can sing like that forever because our current crop of tenors leave much to be desired.

    Susan Graham is excellent. This is the first time I had the chance to see her live. She is a great Mozartian singer and can do with her voice anything she wants. She goes from pianissimo to forte, from low to high and not a break in the register! Her interpretation was also very good. It is a pity Erato has decided to cancel her contract due to financial woes, any major recording company should sign her yesterday!

    Dawn Upshaw was also excellent. Great technique, Mozartian style, interpretation, she had it all. Her "Zeffiretti lusingheri" was a show stopper. I could listen to it forever!

    Carol Vaness owns Elektra! She is by far the best Elektra nowadays and has been for a couple of years. The voice is well kept and she can sing from forte to piano evenly and although the voice is larger nowadays, it is still under control.

    Mark Oswald was a good Arbace although he was deprived of his third act aria.

    Antonio Barasorda was luxury casting indeed as the High Priest.

    John Relyea was effective as the Oracle.

    James Levine conducted very well, the tempos were excellent, the dynamic was extraordinary and the MET orchestra was once again superb! I noticed so many details specially in the horns that no CD recording can reveal.

    A magnificent performance, one of the best I've ever seen at the MET.