Mozart: Idomeneo - Ego, Steber, Lloyd, Kerestetzi, Paskalis; Perlea. Athens, 1955

$8.95



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I will be the first to admit that this is a very strange version of Idomeneo. The conductor has chosen to rearrange the opera which can be discombobulating to lovers of Mozart's most ambitious work. The greatest offense, in my opinion, is transposing the title role to a baritone! "Fuor del mar", in particular, looses its punch. On the plus side, there is some excellent singing particularly from the Ilia of Eleanor Steber. It is fortunate that despite Steber's dramatic voice they resisted the temptation to give her the role of Elletra. Ilia is a much more dynamic character in the opera and the role benefits enormously from having a soprano with Steber's presence. Maria Kerestetzi is another standout as Elettra and a young Kostas Paskalis sings Arbace. The sound is very good.

OD 10809-2