The Return of King Idomeneo: A Picnic Operetta

Mixed Precipitation’s fourth edible extravaganza celebrating the sustainable food movement brings opera and theater to community gardens and farms. In a lively and festive adaptation of Mozart’s 1780 Italian opera, Idomeneo, ré di Creta (King of Crete), the Picnic Operetta continues as a neighborhood tradition celebrating the harvest season.

Mozart and Librettist Gaimbattista Varesco based their opera on a version of the Greek story of General Idomeneus, with inspiration from the Greek Pantheon and Homer’s Odyssey. The opera takes place in the years following the Trojan war as the Trojan women face a new life enslaved by the Greeks. Idomeneo, ré di Creta is considered an early Mozart masterwork and his first “great opera”. The score contains several majestic choruses, Placido e il mar, Nettuno s’onori and the famous quartet Andrò ramingoe solo.

Our adaption, The Return of King Idomeneo, brings the myth to life on the urban streets of mid- century America. The hometown heroes of Crete are returning victorious from the long and bloody Trojan War. Idomeneo can barely recognize the town that he left. As the town attempts to move toward reconciliation and peace, angry Neptune, god of the sea, prepares to unleash his sewage monsters. Mozart’s epic music comes to a 1950s street corner with a unique mash-up of passionate arias, exciting chorus, 50s doo-wop and 60s girl-groups. This magical story is family friendly and full of adventure.

August 11-September 23, 2012: Click here for a performance schedule, location varies by date.

Tickets: Call 612.619.2112 or visit mixedprecipitation.org to reserve a seat. Seating is very
limited.  The audience is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Voluntary donations collected at the end of the performance.  No one turned away for lack of funds.