The Shepherd King by Mozart, Noiztik (2015/2015), Zuzendaria Grischa Asagaroff, Zuzendaria Christopher Moulds, Theater Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland

Il re pastore Alexander the Great frees Sidon from the tyrant Strato. Instead of claiming rulership for himself, he looks for the legitimate heir of the kingdom and finds him in the shepherd Aminta. However, he insists on his pastoral existence and his love for Elisa and rejects Alexander's offer, because the throne would mean renouncing both. Alexander also demands that Aminta marry the fallen tyrant's daughter, Tamiri, who in turn loves Agenore. Failing due to the resistance of the two couples, Alexander finally gives up his plan: the lovers stay together and Aminta and Elisa ascend the throne. Mozart's serenata, composed at the age of 14, foreshadows the future opera master. The work, written on the occasion of Archduke Maximilian's visit to Salzburg, is based on a libretto by Pietro Metastasio, which was very popular with many composers of the 18th century. Grischa Asagaroff moves his staging to the atmospheric ambience of a picturesque baroque fountain. The up-and-coming Swiss tenor Mauro Peter can be seen in the role of Alexander.