ConcertPulse
Mozart: Idomeneo / René Jacobs
Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)
Conductor René Jacobs revolutionised the sound of this opera with his recording of Mozart’s »Idomeneo«. In so doing, he says very modestly: »The only thing I want to do with Mozart’s works is to read them as if they were new.« The Freiburger Barockorchester was also involved at that time, likewise an eminent authority in historical performance practice, which enthrallingly illustrates the story about the power of love, destiny and ancient gods in this concert performance as well. The opera characters do not accept their fate and wrestle with their feelings: the king and father Idomeneo, who in accordance with God’s will is supposed to sacrifice his son Idamante. This very son, who is in love with Ilia, the daughter of his enemy. And Ilia, who is also in love, but believes Idamante already in the clutches of her jealous rival Elettra. Mozart and his librettist take the ancient material into their time of enlightenment and, in the end, let love, humanity and reason prevail. »Idomeneo« is an excellent opera – musically modern and full of arias, which sensitively interpret the emotions of the characters. The choir, which as the people of Crete gives lively commentary on the action, sung here by the Zürcher Singakademie, is weightier than in other Mozart operas. Only created in 2011, it has become a reliable partner for René Jacobs. The line-up of soloists completes the evening with great voices, all of them experienced Mozart interpreters.