Search - Mozart, Simoneau, Gbc & Orch :: Idomeneo

Excellent performance in good 1956 stereo sound

L. E. Cantrell | Vancouver, British Columbia Canada | 01/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Source: 1956 studio version of tried-and-tested Glyndebourne Festival production.



Edition: Some cuts, but only of interest to a completist. The part of Idamante is sung by a tenor rather than a mezzo-soprano.



Documentation: No libretto. Keyed summary of plot. Nothing on the production. Nothing on cast.



Sound quality: Not perfect, but very good.



This is not one of Mozart's greatest operas. It is not remotely on a plane with the three transcendent works based on da Ponte's libretti, or with "Die Zauberfloete" or even "Die Entfuehrung aus dem Serail". That said, it is a great 18th Century opera, easily matching the very best of Gluck or Handel.



"Idomeneo" is unfortunately lumbered with an opera seria libretto. That is to say, it desperately lacks a Leporello, a Despina, the Three Ladies of the Queen of the Night or, indeed, any character with a vestige of humanity.



The plot is an old crock about the "nostoi" or the returns of the victors of the Trojan War. Idomeneo (Homer's Idomeneus), the king of Crete, caught in a storm, has offered Neptune the life of the first person he sees on dry land if he survives. Naturally, he meets his son, Idamante, who is, naturally, in love with Ilias, a captive Trojan princess and, naturally, that has annoyed Elletra (Homer's Elektra), a visiting princess from strong-gated Argos. Two and a half hours later, the creaky old plot ends with Neptune relenting, Idomeneo retiring and a frustrated Elletra storming off the stage in search of her own opera.



From a singer's point of view, all the music in "Idomeneo" is simultaneously exposed and fiendishly difficult. Mozart demands pefect vocal technique, leaving little or no room for flash or artful vocal dodging. Imagine "Don Giovanni" with a cast composed exclusively of Don Ottavios and Donna Annas and you have the flavor of "Idomeneo".



The cast on this recording is superb, with the excellent Richard Lewis as Idomeneo, the even better Leopold Simoneau as Idamante, the radiant Sena Jurinac as Ilias and Lucille Udovick (a name otherwise unknown to me) as a very impressive Elletra. They make the musical lines seem easy, flowing and natural. (Singers and wanna-be singers appreciate how high that praise is.)



John Pritchard conducts very intelligently and gives the impression that this is a production in which all the kinks have been worked out in successful stage performances.



This is an excellent addition to any opera collection."

An excellent reading of an underrated opera

barilatura | USA | 06/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit I was not familiar with most of the singers on this album before I listened to it. However, they give a very strong performance, both in the arias and ensembles. If you're the type who only knows the Te Kanawa's and Domingo's of opera, give this one a listen. The highlight of the recording is Sena Jurinac, who makes a formidable Ilia. The overall sound quality is very good for an older recording, and at two discs for the price of one, it's quite a bargain!"