M&V: Mitridate

[un...@mvdaily.com]

http://www.mvdaily.com/

'The French Revolution was a distant cloud twenty years off when
Mozart at fourteen wrote this opera for Milan. Court circles could
still tie themselves in as many amorous knots as they pleased to while
away a pleasant evening in whatever historical setting they chose. So
Mithridates is less concerned with Rome (it has to despatch him when
all are reconciled) than with the fortunes in love of himself and his
two sons. It is misunderstanding that keeps the work afloat and gives
the teenage Mozart every opportunity to agonise with his characters;
and already his wind instruments have the secret of worming into any
heart.'

- Robert Anderson, writing in today's Music & Vision magazine