The moast intimate personal confession, a sharp message to the father, but also the first big serious opera, which meant a major milestone for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Thus, his opera Idomeneo is called, already the National Theater has chosen as the premiere “Opener” of this year’s opera season. The work that thematizes the complex relationship of father and son, mental health and the fickle favor of the people is played at the State Opera.
Idomeneo is considered to be Mozart’s “first opera masterpiece” and a milestone in his work so far. It was founded in 1781 as his first big serious opera to order the Munich Court and the Bavarian Elector, an eager patron of art Karel Theodor, who even chose the theme of classical Greek mythology. Surprisingly, however, he hit Mozart’s heart.
The libretto themes the dilemma of the Cretan ruler Idomene, who almost dies on a cruise from the Troy War, but at the last moment he concludes an agreement with the ruler of neptune, in which he undertakes him in exchange for his life. And it is no one other than his only son Idamante. Thus, the monarch is struggling with the consequences of his promise, trying to deceive, with a complicated relationship with his son as a intended successor of the throne, but also by his own “demons” stemming from the traumatic experiance both in the war and at the moment of close death at sea.
Mozart put some of his complicated relationship with his own father leopold – also a composer, a man of huge demands and a hard discipline – who withdrew all Europe with the descendants (Wolfgang and his sister Nanerl) and introduced them to the courts of European monarchs as miraculous children.
Of course, their relationship suffered, but the essential cracks came especially after Wolfgang took some separate steps that his father disagreed with, such as a change in career work, a selection of his wife or his bohemian lifestyle. Yet there was mutual respect and a strong bond between them. And all this was reflected in Mozart’s concept of Idomene.
Bieo’s provocateur did not shock this time
The National Theater entrusted the direction of the opera in the hands of the Spanish provocateur – director Calixt Bieit,whose naturalistic concept of Janáček’s pastorec in the Golden Chapel caused a scandal. But to entrust him of Mozart’s “first work”, however, turned out to be a grate move. Idomeneo, which is basically not playing in the Czech Republic and appears on the boards of the National Theater after 125 years, does not have an aura of the inviolable national jewel and its viewers were more open to the new concept.
Bieito has planted an opera in which each of the main characters is confronted with his own human weaknesses, in an isolated space reminiscent of a psychiatric hospital, and together with small symbols he offered a possible context of interpretation – each can represent a certain psychological disorder or disease. And it was on the psychological level of the characters that he focused on his concept. And it was a step in the right direction, because viewers can easily find in some of them.
The author of the hilarious scene is the recognized German stage designer Anna-Sofia Kirsch, the timeless costumes were created by paul Klein. Excellent lighting design,enhancing atmosphere,in cooperation with the director was designed by Reinhard Traub,which sadly shortly before the premiere of the production died.
It should be noted that Mozart’s operas are traditionally played in the Estates Theater, but Idomeneo is included on the stage of the State Opera this year. The head of t