Mozart - Idomeneo / Trevor Nunn, Bernard Haitink - Langridge, Kenny, Vaness, Hadley, Glyndebourne Festival Opera

It was very good I have watched it twice

For reasons unknown, Amazon has linked Mr. Nine's outstanding review of the Munich production of Idomeneo to this 1983 Glyndebourne production.The performance under review was staged in London in 1983, conducted by Bernard Haitink, Philip Langridge in the titlerole, Jerry Hadley as (tenor-version)Idamante, Yvonne Kenny as Ilia and Carol Vaness as Electra.The sets are period and the tempi is rather stolid (alas, Haitink could have been more enlivened in all the lengthy recitatives), but the performances are otherwise very solid, and in many places on the exalted side.In the title role, seasoned British tenor Philip Langridge did not own the timbre required of Idomeneo (like Richard Croft for Jacobs), but here he sang in great style with impeccable acting skills. The arias are uncut, including the great 'Fuor del mar', with a great delivery by Langridge. However, Langridge was rather tame in the lengthy recitatives and this was not assisted one jot by Haitink's dragging momentum at the pit.As his son, a very young Jerry Hadley put up a valiant attempt in the tenor version of this heroic role. The earlier Glyndebourne tenor-version sung by Pavarotti is of course memorable, but Hadley also demonstrated here why, in due course of time, he assumed the position of top American lyrical tenor (especially in Mozart).As Ilia, Yvonne Kenny put up a very refined portrayal, stylish and dramatically alert. The timbre is very pure and she sings with great emotional committment as well as exemplary technique. This is a Ilia in the same league as the illustrious portrayals of a Lucia Popp, Gundula Janowitz and the like.A young Carol Vaness also shines in the role of Electra. Vaness's lirico spinto voice is ideal for this role and she brings off all the vocal demands of this role with real aplomb.The other supporting roles are also capably rendered, but the main drawback of this DVD is the stolid staging and languid pace set both to the music and the action.I recommend that the work be viewed by sections according to the libretto divisions in order for the viewers to savour the refined artistry of the protagonists, and not to be put off too lightly by the dragging momentum.

After popping in this DVD and seeing the picture I thought something was wrong with my TV the image was so poor. The picture was extremely grainy, and there was a horrible "screen" effect making this dvd unwatchable. Fortunately, when I put in another dvd, the picture was crisp and beautiful on my 40" HDTV. If you don't mind the look of a poor-quality video, buy this, but beware, the quality is extremely bad.

Great performances: orchestra, conductor and soloists. Glyndebourne productions are always fascinating. Trevor Nunn's direction first-rate.DVD quality is fine. Video and audio quality excellent considering this is a 1983 analogue source.