Larry Littany Litt
Idomeneo Presented by The Bronx Opera Company Wolfgang Mozart would have loved the Bronx Opera Company’s production of “Idomeneo” for many reasons. First of couse is that the Company brings full length operas to a community that craves its productions but often can’t afford the sky high priced alternatives in New York City. But most importantly to the most critical of composers would be the quality of the singers that perform in these Bronx based performances. “Idomeneo” is produced here in two acts instead of the original three. We open the action in prison with an pleading aria by Trojan princess Ilia, a prisoner of war. Soprano Emma Robertson as Ilia brings us to understand the tragedy of war from the defeated’s perspective. Her situation is changed when Cretan Prince Idamante, her captor and her soon to be lover, releases all Trojan prisoners. Idamante is sung by soprano Miastasha Gonzalez-Colon. It’s a little odd that the prince is a woman, but no one on stage seems to notice or care. So all good. The prisoner’s world is changed, but now Idamante wants Ilia as his lover. Their duet shows the lovers difficulty in finding common ground. Can a POW find love with her captor? A little bit of Stockholm Syndrome. But then again this is opera where anything is possible and impossible. The deft romantic and desirous singing made us all want to be a captive of love. By a mythic miracle King Idomeneo returns to Crete after a 20 year voyage. James Danner sings this king with a manly and commanding wide ranging tenor that captured my attention. He is saved by making a deal with King of the Oceans Lord Neptune. The deal demands Idomeneo kill the first person he sees when he reaches land. Of course it’s Idamante, his son who is now grown up and doesn’t recognize his father. But a father always knows his child. Idomeneo panics. He was saved from drowning but is now ruined as his aria tells us in the tragedy and sadness of his crisis. Idomeneo is living in despair. He consults his friend Arbace sung
by Matthew Youngblood. Idomeneo calls on Neptune’s high priest sung by Rashard Deleston whose tenor-baritone drives the god of the seas to reconsider. Idomeneo offers himself as sacrifice. For some good reason Idamante fights the sea monster, kills it and then offers himself as sacrifice. Ilia declares her love for Idamante and her desire to sacrifice herself. King Neptune sees the moral righteousness of the leaders of Crete. He commands Idomeneo to abdicate his throne, then make Idamante the new and rightful king. Everyone is singing to the forces of the gods. Passing on the family’s nobility makes Idomeneo’s plea all right with the gods. Benjamin Spearman’s direction makes it all right with the audience. The Bronx Opers Company orchestra projects joy listening to Mozart’s music. A good night out.
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