Opera San Jose Makes ‘Idomeneo’ Their Own
by Melissa Wimbish
Mozart’s Idomeneo is one of my favorite operas everrrrrr. That’s why it always saddens me when opera lovers (Mozart opera lovers in particular) never really seem to be that into it. Few companies successfully convince us otherwise, but Opera San Jose seems to have this reviewer and everyone else that saw the production on their feet! Check out the Operagasm review rundown!
Who cares about an effin’ recession?: “As the recession grinds its sharp teeth into local arts groups, philanthropist David Packard has unleashed a stimulus package at the California Theatre. The exciting new production of Mozart’s Idomeneo being staged there by Opera San Jose — on Packard’s dime, mostly — is a jaw-dropper: sets that reproduce the Palace of Knossos in ancient Crete; a troupe of dancers from Ballet San Jose; a 40-voice chorus; plus 180 costumes and a sacrificial altar. And, oops, almost forgot — an excellent cast.”
No elephants, but just as exciting as a circus!: “When Sunday’s performance came to a close, the audience leapt to its feet, and this was no obligatory Standing O. This Idomeneo — something like Ringling Bros. at New York’s Metropolitan Museum — is singular.”
Gushing over Maestro: “Cleve and his players did full justice to the score, building small gestures into long dramatic arcs, capturing effects both storming and delicate, building a running dialogue between orchestra and singers.”
Operagasm couldn’t have said it any better…: “This production is too much….Go”.
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