IDOMENEO
We're now rehearsing our new production of Mozart's Idomeneo which will be performed in Birmingham in August 2008.......
THE STORY SO FAR
Idomeneo…The story so far….
The Trojan Wars between the Allied forces of Greece against Troy, have ended with the Greeks triumphant. King Idomeneo is returning victorious to his Greek Kingdom of Crete. His son and heir, Prince Idamante awaits him anxiously. Poseidon, God of The Sea has whipped up a dreadful storm which threatens to wreck the Cretan fleet and drown King Idomeneo ....The King survives....but at what cost?
King Idomeneo saves his own life and cheats death only by making a terrible promise to sacrifice another in his place. Having promised Poseidon to sacrifice the first person he meets and glad to be alive, he sees his victim coming towards him - to his horror he finds that he has sworn to kill his own son…..Prince Idamante.
A story of young love between sworn enemies, the hateful jealousy of a thwarted lover, and the futile attempts to escape the deadly repercussions of a selfish promise, play out in this rarely performed masterpiece.
Will King Idomeneo kill his son to save himself? Can love flourish between Princess Ilia a Trojan Prisoner of War and her enemy Prince Idamante or will Princess Electra get her man? And don't forget The Gods!! What havoc will Poseidon, God of the Sea, wreak on this tiny island Kingdom of Crete if their King Idomeneo fails to fulfil his oath?
How will it end? Come and see for yourself....
Some of Mozart’s most beautiful music brings this powerful mythic tale of fathers and sons vividly alive and offers an ideal opportunity for the company to further involve Birmingham’s communities in developing and performing in a dazzling new production.
THE COMPANY
CAST
Idomeneo, Warrior King of Crete Paul Nilon
Prince Idamante , His Son and Heir Mark Wilde
Princess Ilia, Trojan Prisoner of War Anna Dennis
Princess Electra, Greek Exile Donna Bateman
Arbace, Idomeneo's confidante Iain Paton
High Priest, Poseidon Cult Leader Andrew Clarke
Poseidon, The God of the Seas Keel Watson
Director: Graham Vick
Designer: Stuart Nunn
Movement: Ron Howell
Conductor: William Lacey
Chorus Master: Jon Laird
Birmingham Opera Company Orchestra and Chorus
How do I get involved?
Currently our company offers opportunities for anyone interested to contribute as singers, actors, dancers, writers, designers, photographers, video artists, visual artists...come to us and we'll find a place for you....
Please contact Debbie on 07793257537 or email dk@birminghamopera.org.uk or call Samrina in the office on 0121 246 6644
More news will be posted on this site. Meanwhile, have a look below at our recent work:
LA TRAVIATA
See the photos and watch the rehearsals here and here.
"This was an absolute knock-out – a superior piece of operatic populism" The Daily Telegraph
"Graham Vick’s tirelessly inventive work creating and sustaining a company as all-inclusive in the best sense of the word as BOC is inspiring. The creative energy and enthusiasm driving it are hugely impressive." The Guardian
"I’ve never been to the opera before but I’ll come and see you lot again!" Audience Member
"I didn’t know the music was so beautiful" Audience Member
"Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in an activity like this." Participant
"I feel proud and inspired to have been part of such a fantastically, artistically innovative, daring production." Participant
"Do it again – bring it on – here I am!" Participant
In October 2007 Birmingham Opera Company presented a large-scale production of Verdi’s La Traviata in The National Indoor Arena in the heart of Birmingham. The production had been kindly lent to the company by the Arena di Verona, Italy’s premier opera festival that takes place in a 17,000 Roman amphitheatre each summer. Work began in earnest in November 2006 when the very first workshops took place to encourage people to join our chorus and continued throughout the next 11 months. Altogether, a group of almost 300 people aged between 14 and 81 worked alongside the professional singers, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conductor Massimiliano Stefanelli and director, Graham Vick and his team to create a sensational production. Nearly 10,000 people came to see the performances of whom some 68% had never been to the opera before. The overwhelming reception given to La Traviata by the audience signalled that they want more!
See the photos and watch the rehearsals here and here.