Director Lindy Hume dresses Mozart’s Idomeneo in second-hand clothes.

The return of Idomeneo to the San Francisco Opera should be an occasion to celebrate; Mozart’s music, a fine cast, all with strong voices, wonderful orchestral playing but, alas, an incongruous staging. The set, which doesn’t change, is a re-creation of a Regency era room with bare walls and ornate door frames but why it’s there at all remains a mystery. In contrast to this promise of some elegance, the cast is wearing the dullest collection of cast offs and thrift store couture you could want to see. A more drab and colorless collection of clothes could not readily be imagined.

The set and costumes do nothing to enhance the telling of the story or serve the singers. The direction (or lack thereof) leaves the chorus and extras milling about aimlessly or sprawled on the floor. This “modern dress” production leaves much to be desired. The principals act like they’re taking part in a psychodrama, acting out their emotions rather than letting the music and the libretto tell the story. There is little dignity and no gravitas in their frenetic pacing and overwrought gestures.

If you close your eyes and just listen to the beautiful singing and playing you won’t be distracted and can enjoy the artistry of Mozart and our singers and orchestra.