Mozart - Idomeneo [2 DVDs] - Universal/Music/DVD

"Interpreters"
Idomeneo - Ramon Vargas
Idamente - Magdalena Kozena
Ilia - Ekaterina Siurina
Elettra - Anja Harteros
Arbace - Jeffery Francis
Gran Sacerdote - Robin Leggate
La Voce - Günther Groissböck

Salzburger Bachchor
Camerata Salzburg
Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington


Part of the epoch-making release of Mozart's complete operas on DVD, "Idomeneo" was the twenty-five-year-old composer's first mature masterpiece. Based on a tale in Homer's "Odyssey", the island of Crete is the setting for a drama of young love thwarted, jealous rivalry and a timely "deus ex machina" to see all ends as it should. To this traditional opera seria Mozart brings prodigally inventive and highly dramatic music, with Ursel and Karl-Ernst Herrmann bringing this dramatic intensity to the fore through a spacious set and striking, modern-day costumes. Ramon Vargas is Idomeneo, King of Crete, heading a distinguished cast of international soloists.