Product Details

• Actors: Josephine Barstow, Richard Lewis, Leo Goeke, Bozena Betley, John Pritchard
• Format: Black & White, Classical, DVD, NTSC
• Language: Italian
• Subtitles: German, English, Italian, Spanish, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Arthaus Musik
• DVD Release Date: January 18, 2005
• Run Time: 125 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00066K2QA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,008 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

During a ferocious storm Idomeneo, the King of Crete, makes a vow to Neptune, offering a sacrifice (the first human being Idomeneo sees) in return for the god’s help in bringing his ship safely to shore. As it turns out, this is his own son, Idamante. This dilemma can only be solved by the unselfish love of Ilia, who is willing to give her life in his stead. With the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 1974 Richard Lewis once again confirms his position as the world’s leading exponent of this opera, in the title role of Idomeneo. This shortened version begins with Idomeneo alone on the beach after having survived the fierce storm. The dramatic point of view of Idomeneo is captured by John Cox’s strikingly dark staging. Picture Format: 4:3 • Subtitles: GB • Sound Format: Dolby Stereo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Opera is Incomplete, and in Glassy Sound, December 14, 2004

By 

J Scott Morrison (Middlebury VT, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart - Idomeneo / Barstow, Goeke, Betley, Lewis, Oliver, Pritchard, Glyndebourne Opera (DVD)

This DVD of the 1974 production of Mozart's 'Idomeneo' is a huge disappointment for a number of reasons. For starters, Act I is not given complete. The first scene with Ilia's opening aria, for instance, is simply cut. Richard Lewis, who was a wonderful tenor stalwart in opera and oratorio in his day, is too old to be singing the Cretan King. He is past his prime, sad to say.

But what is worse is that the playing and singing are stodgy except for that of Josephine Barstow as Elettra who, true to her character's name, is electrifying. And even worse than that, the recorded sound is glassy and almost unlistenable, at least to my ears.

I would think twice about buying this version.

Scott Morrison

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Be very afraid, April 4, 2006

By 

Peter (Holland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart - Idomeneo / Barstow, Goeke, Betley, Lewis, Oliver, Pritchard, Glyndebourne Opera (DVD)

Scary, scary, scary. Richard Lewis is twenty years past his prime, Barstow sings in Urdu (sloppily), Betley seems to have thought she had been contracted for Adriana Lecouvreur, and Goeke--where in the WORLD did they find HIM? And then to use him in Zauberflöte and Giovanni as well--WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? Primitive production values and a surprisingly rough and ready orchestra in the pit (what's their excuse?--this isn't Lulu, after all) round out this festival of awfulness. When will Amazon finally introduce the zero-star rating this kind of disaster deserves? For a decent Idomeneo, try the Met (Pavarotti, von Stade, Cotrubas, Behrens). AVOID THIS ONE AT ALL COSTS.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I have never finished it, October 31, 2004

By 

figaro "jacoba" (Eugene, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart - Idomeneo / Barstow, Goeke, Betley, Lewis, Oliver, Pritchard, Glyndebourne Opera (DVD)

So dull, I have never finished it. Supposedly Barstow is worth it, but I have never gotten to her arias before becoming too bored. The Idamante is a tenor and the scenes are not in the order I am used to. The Idomeneo I am used to begins with the scene with Ilia's aria and then Idamante's entrance and aria. If I remember correctly, this one begins with Idamante finding Idomeneo on the shore, so perhaps the first scene I am used to, is simply cut in this version. I don't know, but I certainly enjoy the Met's Idomeneo video with Pavarotti in the title role much better. I have watched that one through quite a few times. Another great recording of this opera is on cd with Ian Bostridge in the title role.