i made idomeneo during the winter and spring of 2016 to 2017, my final year at ccm. it was my first attempt at designing and staging a large scale opera. major influences from ponnelle’s 1982 staging as well as early robert wilson (deafman’s glance 1970). At first, I found the pose of this opera challenging. it has an anti-dramatic quality: lots of philosophy, minimal action. it reminded me of my experience sitting in church as a child listening to scripture readings. i tried to slow the physical action of the piece down to match the metabolism of the drama. much of the show took place in slow moving, shifting tableaus. Image over action. it helped me hear the music better. (2017)