The Italian seria (drama) opera in two acts, Idomeneo, was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1781.
- Libretto by Giambattista Varesco based on Antoine Danchet libretto for "Idoménée" by André Campra.
- First Performance: Munich, Cuvillies Theater, January 29, 1781. Revised version by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (premiered in Munich, June 15, 1931).
- Setting: Port of Sidon, island of Crete, shortly after the Trojan war (12th century BC).
Character Roles
- Ilia, daughter of King Priam of Troy (soprano)
- Idamante, son of Idomeneo (male soprano or tenor)
- Elettra (Electra), daughter of King Agamemnon of Argos (soprano)
- Arbace (Arbaces), Idomeneo's confidant (tenor or baritone)
- Idomeneo, King of Crete (tenor)
- High priest of Neptune (tenor)
- Voice of Nettuno (Neptune) (bass)
- Two Trojans (tenor, bass)
- Two Cretan girls (soprano, alto)
- Chorus: Retinues of Idomeneo and Idamante, Trojan prisoners, people of Crete, sailors, warriors from Crete and Argos
Plot Summary of Mozart's opera Idomeneo
Act 1
As a result to the Trojan War, Ilia the Trojan princess and daughter of the defeated Trojan King Priam, was captured and taken to Crete.
She loves Idamante, son of Idomeneo, but tries to keep it from Idamante who also loves her.
At first Ilia thought that Idamante loves Elettra.
Idamante promises to mitigate the suffering of her countrymen and frees the Trojan prisoners.
The Trojans and Cretans welcomed the return of peace but Elettra, daughter of the Greek King Agamemnon rebukes Idamante.
Elettra loves Idamante and is jealous of Ilia.
Meanwhile, Arbace, Idomeneo's confidant, brings news that Idomeneo has been lost at sea.
Idomeneo was indeed beset by storms on his return home from the Trojan wars, but he seeks Neptune's help and vows that in return for safety, he will sacrifice the first mortal he meets on his return home. He was saved by Neptune, washed up on a beach in Crete.
Unfortunately, the first person who approached him was his own son Idamante who didn't recognize him.
Act 2
Idomeneo explains his problem to Arbace and asks his advice.
Arbace suggests they pack Idamante off to Argos while they find a way to placate Neptune; that someone else could be sacrificed if Idamante were banished far away.
To avert the consequence, Idomeneo sends his son to Argos with Elettra, who welcomes the idea.
Idomeneo consoles Ilia and thinks that she loves Idamante.
Elettra is grateful for Idomeneo's kindness and is confident she can win Idamante's heart once she gets him away from Ilia.
Elettra prepares to leave.
Their departure at the port of Sidon was prevented by strong winds before the ship could sail. A sea serpent also appears.
Idomeneo recognizes this as Neptune's doing for having violated his vow to the god of the sea.
Act 3
Idomeneo joins the priests of Neptune in prayer that the god of sea may be appeased.
Neptune has raised a sea monster that is causing death and destruction.
Idamante slays the sea monster and persuades his father to sacrifice him.
Ilia asks to die in Idamante's place but the heavenly voice of Neptune intercedes: Idomeneo must abdicate in favor of his son.
Idomeneo proclaims Idamante and his new bride Ilia as the new King and Queen of Crete.
Other operas written by Mozart
- Die Zauberflöte
- Così fan tutte
- Don Giovanni
- Le nozze di Figaro
- Der Schauspieldirektor
- Die Entführung aus dem Serail
- La Clemenza di Tito
- Il rè pastore
- La finta Giardiniera
- Zaide
- Lucio Silla
- Il sogno di Scipione
- Ascanio in Alba
- Mitridate, rè di Ponto
- La finta semplice
- Bastien und Bastienne
Sources:
Mozart and His Operas, edited by Stanley Sadie, 2000
Opera, Editor-in-Chief, András Batta, 2000, English Edition
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, New York, 1997
