Idomeneo is the earliest of Mozart’s major operas and, traditionally, the least popular. It opened in Munich in 1781, a year before the Vienna debut of The Abduction from the Seraglio, which was a smash-hit. In Munich, a press notice praised Idomeneo‘s set design but forgot to mention Mozart. Mozart himself was not completely satisfied, and, in 1786, made substantial changes for a restaging. In 1931, the Vienna State Opera wanted to celebrate Idomeneo’s 150th anniversary, but thought the opera could use a little more work: Unfortunately Mozart wasn’t available, so they gave the job to Richard Strauss, who replaced a third of the music and had the Italian libretto redone in German.
The Met did not stage Idomeneo until 1982, with Pavarotti in the title roll and James Levine, now Director Emeritus, conducting. Levine returned for this year’s season premiere and received an ovation before each curtain, though the second-act applause was intercepted by a lady in a green dress, ponderously searching for something on her first-row seat and resolutely unaware she was exactly under Levine’s spotlight. Levine encouraged the surrounding audience to get up and absorb their share of applause, but they modestly declined.
