ConcertPulse
Sir Simon Rattle
“I have an indescribable desire to write an opera once again.” Mozart’s wish, expressed in 1777, was finally fulfilled in the fall of 1780, when he received a commission from Munich to write a grand opera seria for the upcoming carnival season. The excellence of the Munich (formerly Mannheim) orchestra, and the subject matter involving the conflict between divine law and human passion, between duty and love, inspired Mozart to write one of his most elaborate and innovative stage works. Idomeneo has long been one of Rattle’s favorite pieces. As with Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s first operatic masterpiece will give Rattle the opportunity to work intensively with the chorus and to further deepen his involvement with historical performance practice in Munich. He will be joined by a superb cast of singers: Andrew Staples in the demanding title role, Sabine Devieilhe and Magdalena Kožená as the touching passionate lovers Ilia and Idamante, and Elsa Dreisig as the jealous, desperate Elettra.