Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was overjoyed when Kurfürst of Bavaria and Pfalz commissioned him to write an opera for the palace carnival in Munich. Written in a few weeks, the new work "Idomeneo, re di Creta" was performed in January 1781 and proved to be massively successful. It was Mozart’s first mature opera, which was never produced again while the composer was still alive.
The storyline of the opera is based upon Greek myths. King Idomeneo is a general, participant of the Trojan War, mentioned in Homer’s Iliad. Striving to save his life, he makes a vow to Neptune to sacrifice the first living creature he shall meet. Unfortunately, the first person he meets is his son Idamante. After much commotion, battles and a sacrifice of a woman, the gods give in. The inhabitants of Crete celebrate the wedding of Ilia and Idamante.
On the stage of the LNOBT "Idomeneo" shall be introduced by British director Graham Vick, known for his productions that offer radical interpretations of classical works. According to the director himself, this work is not intended for experts of Mozart – this epic breakthrough piece by the genius composer should mostly appeal to younger audience, which didn’t spend much time appreciating the genre of opera.
Co-production with Geteborg Opera