Munich.(In Reviews: from around the world: International - Idomeneo)(Opera Review)

Munich's Residenztheater hosted the world premiere of Mozart's Idomeneo on January 29, 1781. On December 21, 2003, the Staatstheater am Gartnerplatz unveiled a new production of the work, sung in the German translation of Kurt Honolka. Nothing could be a more striking allegory far contemporary audiences than a ruler held accountable for his own morally indefensible choices--here, the Cretan King Idomeneo, punished by the Gods for waging ten years of senseless war. Claudia Doderer, until now known for her costume and set designs, was asked to do triple duty this time, acting also as director, and she chose to decorate rather than to elucidate. By keeping her sets simple, and by ingenious use of movable partitions, she presented the audience with a unit capable of infinite variations, assuring uninterrupted action. The costumes of the principals were, for no apparent reason, Japanese in nature; those of the chorus were, at times, non-descript bucolic; the priests appeared in glaring red. There was some attempt at synchronized movement onstage, which worked when carried out properly but was risible when clumsily executed.

The performance of two principals lent the evening particular distinction. As Idomeneo, tenor Kobie van Rensburg dominated the performance in every way. His voice soared, full-throated but never forced, over the orchestra. His coloratura ...