HERAKLION – The opera Idomeneo, re di Creta (King of Crete) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, considered one of the greatest operas of all time, was presented in Heraklion, Crete, November 24-26, a co-production of Teatro Grattacielo of New York and the Cultural Conference Center of Heraklion.

Athens Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by the maestro Myron Michailidis, with the Heraklion Choir under the guidance of Yannis Kiagiadakis, in cooperation with distinguish soloists from Teatro Grattacielo, performed Mozart’s first opera seria with libretto by Gianbattista Varesko. Stefanos Koroneos, General and Artistic Director of Teatro Grattacielo, directed the opera.

Koroneos spoke to The National Herald about the successful co-production between Teatro Grattacielo and Cultural Conference Center, noting that “we chose Mozart’s Idomeneo, King of Crete, because of the story connection to the land of Crete.”

“This was the very first international co-production of Teatro Grattacielo and I am very proud that it happened in Greece,” Koroneos said.

According to the production’s website, the opera was written by Mozart during the years 1780-1781 and the premier took place on January 29, 1781 at the Cuvilliés Theatre of Munich. The inspiration for the libretto comes from Pietro Metastasio. The story unfolds after the fall of Troy, King Idomeneo can finally dream of returning to his homeland after a long absence, during which his son Idamante ensured the continuity of his reign and guarded Trojan prisoners, including Ilia, King Priam’s daughter. To escape from a terrible storm that is keeping him from reaching Crete, Idomeneo promises Neptune to sacrifice the first living being he encounters upon landing. Unfortunately, it is his own son who greets him in his native land. By offering her own life in exchange for that of Idamante, whom she loves and who loves her, Illia manages to get Neptune to yield and to deliver Idomeneo from his fateful vow.

More information about the Teatro Grattacielo and the Cultural Conference Center of Heraklion co-production of Idomeneo is available online: https://bit.ly/32GbBhH.