Glyndebourne opera

Sir, Now that the schedule of performances of Idomeneo at Glyndebourne (First Night, June 12) has ended for this season, I can make my and many of my friends’ view of the production known without prejudice to the enjoyment of others who had committed themselves to the experience.

Mozart’s ability to express human emotions through the language of music is unparalleled. So what is the role of the directors? It is surely to allow maximum appreciation of the music.

It is not to impose on the audience an explanatory overlay. To do this is at one extreme an insult to the composer and at the other to the intellect of the audience. Imagine the horror of seeing a dancing double emerge from behind the soprano lead so as to “improve” on the effect of Mozart’s music. But this is exactly what happened. Whatever was in the minds of Messrs Peter Sellars and Anish Kapoor? That world-class musicians should connive with this is surprising. That the Glyndebourne management should commission such a production must reflect some other motive. For us mere Mozart lovers it seriously marred the evening and has prolonged a lack of confidence in Glyndebourne productions.