We’re in Bavaria for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra presentation of Mozart’s “Idomeneo” on this week’s Sunday Opera (9/8 3:00 p.m.). This story of love and sacrifice was staged at Hercules Hall in Munich’s Residenz.
The story begins with the shipwreck of Idomeneo (Andrew Staples), a shipwreck he survives, so Idomeneo promises Neptune (Tareq Nazmi, voice) that he will sacrifice the first living thing he sees. Unfortunately, that happens to be his son, Idamante (Magdalena Kozena) who is thrilled to see his father and cannot understand the coldness with which his father greets him.
As Idomeneo agonizes over his plight, Idamante is falling in love with the princess Ilia (Sabine Devieilhe), who is the daughter of King Priam of Troy, to the consternation of Elettra (Elsa Dreisig) a princess from Argos, and Elettra will cause trouble.
Since Idomeneo has not performed his sacrifice, Neptune takes his revenge on Crete by sending a sea serpent to attack the country, but Idamante slays the creature, but not before he realizes what his father has done to save his life.
Idamante then offers himself for the sacrifice, but Ilia steps in to take his place before anything can happen. Neptune is placated by this and blesses their union for a happy ending.
You’ll also hear the voice of Linard Vrielink, who is Idomeno’s confidant Arbace and a High Priest of Neptune. Sir Simon Rattle leads the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
Stay tuned after the opera for more music of Mozart and his interesting Serenade in B flat major (K. 361) which was titled by some unknown hand as the “Gran Partita.” The performance to which we’ll be listening features the Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble conducted by Trevor Pinnock.
