Mozart's Il re pastore

What makes a good king? How should he conduct himself? These are questions that have long fascinated the most enlightened thinkers. Il re pastore provides an answer through the character of Aminta (Annette Dasch), the legitimate young heir to the city of Sidon, who becomes a shepherd after invaders took the throne. The play opens with Alexander the Great (Kresimir Spicer), King of Macedonia, who wishes to return his throne to Aminta after having conquered Sidon. The only condition is that the young shepherd must marry Tamiri (Arpiné Rahdjian), the daughter of the former tyrant. Aminta, already enamored with a young shepherdess named Elisa, chooses to give up the throne to stay with his beloved. The Emperor, admiring his decision, allows him to take back his crown and marry Elisa. He offers Tamiri a new fiancé, his friend Agénor (Andreas Karasiak), as well as the promise of ruling the next kingdom he conquers.

Simple yet evocative, Aniara Amos's mesmerizing staging and Thomas Hengelbrock's direction join forces to create a masterpiece. The characters seem to be trapped inside a house of cards, with the work constantly walking a fine line between despair and joviality. The dazzling spirit of Mozart's music seems to flourish in this delicate balance.