MOZART'S infrequently performed opera was given a passionate and spirited airing in English by our regional opera company.

This "serious opera" about events after the end of the Trojan war has plenty of scope for fine singing and illuminating orchestral playing , although last night's simple and stark production made it a little hard to digest until the second act.

As usual, the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North were well up to the mark and were admirably conducted by David Parry.

Paul Nilon was a fine Idomeneo, the King of Crete, who promises to sacrifice the first person he sees if the Gods save him and his ship in a storm.

That person is Idamante, his Trojan-conquering hero son, who was sensitively sung by Paula Hoffman in one of Mozart's famous breeches role.

While Idomeneo agonises over sacrificing his son to the Gods, Idamante is loved by two women, one of them the Trojan King's daughter Ilia, whose arduous aria that opens the opera is well sung by Natasha Marsh in a stalwart performance.

The other is the Greek princess Elettra, given a flawless performance by the magnificent Janis Kelly.

Despite the trials and tribulations, all ends reasonably happily in this tale of duty and sacrifice, with the Gods being placated and Idamante living and getting his girl.

Mozart's Idomeneo, Opera North, The Lowry, Repeated Saturday