1st December 2023
Idomeneo Teatro Real 2019
Culture Madrid Events Opera

‘Idomeneo’ opera opens at Madrid’s Teatro Real

On 19 February, Madrid’s Teatro Real premieres a new version of Mozart‘s Idomeneo, Rè di Creta, a co-production with the Canadian Opera Company of Toronto and the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

This three-act opera premiered in 1781 in Munich and was first performed at the Teatro Real in July 2008. Mozart composed it when he was in his mid-20s together with librettist Giambattista Varesco as a commission for a court carnival.

The stage director of this new version, Robert Carsen, says that Idomeneo ‘is a powerful anti-war declaration, with an ending that’s full of hope: the possibility that a new generation can bring love and peace and transform a world torn up by power, war and destruction’.

Idomeneo Teatro Real 2019
An image taken from the opera’s rehearsals. (Javier del Real / Teatro Real)

Originally set in Crete shortly after the Trojan War, this re-working of the opera features a contemporary setting on an anonymous Mediterranean island full of soldiers, refugees and victims of war.

Over 170 performers, including soloists and choir, take part in the large-scale production, and the musical director is Ivor Bolton, a renowned expert in Mozart’s work.

To coincide with the opera’s run, a variety of related activities have been organised at venues around Madrid including the Biblioteca Nacional and the British Council.

When: 19-21, 23, 25-28 February, 1 March

Where: Teatro Real

More info: teatro-real.com

Recent Posts

Lana Del Rey, Pulp and SZA to headline Barcelona’s Primavera Sound 2024

Features

Spain hosts the first Latin Grammy Awards held outside of the USA

News Desk

Meryl Streep among recipients of Spain’s Princess of Asturias Awards

News Desk

Creative Connexions Ireland: Sitges ’23 returns with a stunning line-up of artists

Features

Top 5 Musicals in Spain this Autumn

Erica Russell

Full line-up announced for 56th edition of Sitges International Film Festival

Features

Leave a Comment