After the stage fireworks of the Bonesetter's Daughter (acrobats! videos!), the SF Opera presented Wednesday night a re-run of the 1989 production of Idomeneo. This stale, dated setb was chosen, we guess, most likely to offset the costs of the previous show: one cannot have it all shiny new prods. Thank Neptune the singer's budget was allocated wisely, for it would be a long evening otherwise. Stellar turns from Kurt Streit and Genia Kühmeier, along with the steady hand of maestro Runnicles, made the evening thoroughly enjoyable. The story goes like this: on his return from winning the Trojan war, the king of Crete, Idomeneo gets caught at sea in a storm. Neptune, God of the oceans, lets him go home safely only after Idomeneo vows to sacrifice the first person he meets on land. Of course, the Gods being a facetious bunch, it's his son Idamante who happens to be there. Idomeneo and his legal councel wise advisor Arbace decide to send Idamante away rather than fulfill the pledge. Neptune is not amused, and sends some Godzilla monster to Crete. Idamante goes and kills the monster, an act of courage which earns Neptune's admiration and forgiveness. more ›