Peter Maag - Mozart: Idomeneo (1965) [2006]

In 1780, the 24-year-old Mozart was contracted by the progressive Elector of Bavaria to compose an 'opera seria' for the Hoftheater. The opera was to combine Italian ideals of music and singing with the French tradition of the tragédie lyrique with its emphasis on chorus, ballet and stage spectacle. In the latter part of the 18th century, an ideological 'war' was raging between the supporters of the traditional style of opera represented by Piccini, and the supporters of Gluck's idea of the 'reform opera' - aiming to break down the conventional structure of recitatives and set-piece arias.

In the composition of 'Idomeneo', Mozart steered a middle course with regard to arias, recitatives and the treatment of the chorus, while the influence of Gluck is most apparent in the orchestration, the use of accompanied recitatives for particularly dramatic passages, and the Temple scene in Act III.

The performance history of 'Idomeneo' has been checkered. After the initial success in Munich it was heard only once more during Mozart's lifetime, in a concert performance in Vienna in 1786. The 'Romantic' 19th century had little use for the formal musical language of 18th-century opera, and when 'Idomeneo' was performed at all, it was in versions adapted to the prevailing taste of the time. It was not until the middle of this century that the opera was once more staged in reasonably authentic form (Glyndebourne 1951), and 'Idomeneo' has now joined the ranks of frequently performed Mozart stage works.

This innovative version of 'Idomeneo' by the acknowledged Mozart specialist Peter Maag was originally released in the 1960's. It is of some historical importance, as it is seen as the first recording to attempt to make the opera appeal to a modern audience without making significant alterations to its structure.


Tracks:



Personnel:

RAI Symphony Orchestra & Chorus of the Rome,
Peter Maag - (conductor)

Idomeneo: Aldo Bertocci - (tenor), Idamante: Georg Jelden - (tenor), Ilia: Agnes Giebel - (soprano), Elettra: Irmgard Stadler - (soprano), Arbace: Cesare Ponce de Leon - (baritone), Gran Sacerdote di Nettuno: David Ward - (bass), La Voce: Ottokar Schofer - (bass)