Mozart's "Idomeneo"

[Krummhorn]

I was horrified to read that the director of this opera (scheduled to open last week in New York) had added a scene that was not part of Mozart's original work. The opera was cancelled due to a 'politically charged climate'.

Mozart must be turning over in his grave by now.

A few questions come to mind:
1. Why couldn't the opera go on as scheduled without the [unauthorized] added scene?
2. Does present day society give any person the rights to alter/add to an established Masterpiece such as this, just for their own personal edification?

Maybe my opinion is totally out of line - What does everyone else think about this idea on changing/altering/adding to masterpiece works such as these?

[Gareth]

Changing something like that is like destroying an old catholic church in Vatican city and said it was designed wrong and then building it differently.

[Rune Vejby]

I see no problem in this..... if only more composers/directors had the guts to do things like this..... I often changes rythms or sometimes notes when I play piano music...

[Gareth]

Hey Rune: Thats why Chopin and other composers in the Romantic era were there!

I reckon you can use stuff typical to the period of time, I heard this recording of Mozart's Sonata k545 no 1 in C major and I think it is great. The performer used ornaments that were typical to the classicism era.

But I don't agree with the opera, as they have added something that may go along with the story, but may not suit the music...ok, I'll stop rambling on...hope this made sense.

Gareth.