Mozart - Idomeneo Remastered
by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Frederica von Stade, Hildegard Behrens, Ileana Cotrubas, John Alexander, Luciano PavarottiDirector: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Brand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Italian (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 185 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-04-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Movie Reviews of Mozart - Idomeneo Remastered
Movie Review: Mozart's Grand Opera is a superb show
Summary: 5 Stars
Following Mozart's final youthful opera, Il re pastore, which was composed in 1775 (see the fine new DVD performance from Salzburg conducted by Neville Marriner), Mozart received no new operatic commissions (other than the fragment Zaide) until 1780-81. He spent those 5 years internalising all of European music, always yearning to write opera, always searching for a good libretto and a new commission. Idomeneo was finally commissioned for Munich by Karl Theodor, Elector of Bavaria, and premiered in Munich in 1781. Although theoretically an example of opera seria, Idomeneo should more properly be considered embryonic Grand Opera. There is something Verdian about this great dramatic masterpiece. Idomeneo is a true tragic hero: literally buffeted by fate in a sea-storm, he is placed in the untenable position of saving himself by promising Neptune he would sacrifice the first living creature he met upon returning home to Crete. He has a chance meeting with Idamante, who has been roaming the shore. Idomeneo, less than thrilled by this random encounter, reacts even more coolly after recognizing his son, now grown. Idamante, dismayed by his father's puzzling lack of affection, is also beset by amorous issues: he is loved by the proud princess Electra, but he is in love with a Trojan princess, Ilia, who rejects him. Ilia was sent to Crete, along with other prisoners of war, by Idomeneo in advance of his return from Troy. Neptune's impatience for a sacrifice, the intricacies of love and ambition, the nature of power and fate, all make up the fabric of Mozart's Grand Opera. It is unquestionably a masterpiece.
This makes Idomeneo's subsequent performance history particularly puzzling. It was revived only once in Mozart's lifetime, was performed fairly frequently in Austria and Germany following his death, but did not reach England until 1934 and still was not performed professionally until Glyndebourne in 1951. It was first produced in America in 1947 at the Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood, in Lenox Massachusetts. Most stunningly of all, Idomeneo's very first performance at the Met did not occur until 14 October 1982: this very production! The seventh performance, given on 6 November, is the one filmed here.
Mozart's use of a chorus is years ahead of its time: dramatic without being declamatory, he gave his people of Crete some of the most beautiful melodies he had composed this early in his operatic career. Of special note is the exquisite embarkation chorus, Placido e il mar. One of the features that makes this production so superb is the excellence of the Met's chorus. But that is merely one of many reasons why this DVD is a recommended purchase for confirmed Mozarteans as well as lovers of great singing and drama. Each major member of this star-laden cast was essentially captured at their peak. The casting was inspired, so by a happy accident we have a nearly perfect recording of the first of the 7 great mature operas from Mozart's "golden decade".
Luciano Pavarotti is simply superb as Idomeneo. Everything that made him a truly great singer in his prime is in evidence here. His tone is crystalline, his Italianate phrasing is perfection as is his uncannily clear diction. Each word, sung or spoken, rings with pristine clarity, like a bell. His acting (not his usual strong suit), as a deeply troubled yet ultimately resolute Idomeneo, is as fine as I've ever seen Pavarotti act. He is obviously enjoying this part: he sang Idamante in his 1964 debut at Glyndebourne. If you've ever wondered why he became a star, it is firmly in evidence here. Frederica von Stade is a wonderful Idamante, a role originally written for a soprano castrato. She is utterly believable and her singing is excellent. Ileana Cotrubas is an inspired Ilia, mingling pathos and passion in her singing as well as acting. Hildegard Behrens is a knock-out Electra. She is a more Straussian Electra than Mozartian in her increasing madness. The rest of the cast is similarly excellent. There are no seriously weak links in this cast. James Levine and the Met Orchestra are superb, as they usually were at this time. The simple yet elegant production was designed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. This is an inspired performance of Idomeneo. One that truly merits your serious attention.
The picture format of this two DVD set is NTSC full screen shot with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The picture is digitally remastered and clear with no visual artifacts and only slight fuzziness due to the age of the tape. The region code is 0 worldwide. Menu language is English with subtitles in English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese. Sound formats are PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 Digital Surround. The sound is clear and bright with the DTS format providing great ambiance from the rear speakers, and a clarity and spatial localization of voices and instruments that imparts a feeling of "liveness" to the performance. Bonuses include a picture gallery and trailers from DGG. Total time of the discs is 182 minutes.
A superb performance of a Mozart masterpiece. A life enhancing DVD set that is strongly recommended.
Mike Birman
Summary of Mozart - Idomeneo Remastered
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