Quick facts – Idomeneo

Who was the composer of Idomeneo?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. He was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria, and died on December 5, 1791, in Vienna, Austria, at the age of 35.

Mozart displayed extraordinary musical talent from a young age, composing his first piece at the age of five and performing for European royalty by the time he was a teenager. He composed over 600 works in various genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, operas, and choral music. Many of his works are the most important and recognised works in the classical music cannon.

Some of his most famous compositions include Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Symphony No. 40 in G minor, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovanni.

What is the plot of the opera?

The opera is set on the Island of Crete, shortly after the Trojan War.

Act 1

Ilia, daughter of the defeated Trojan King Priam, expresses conflicting emotions – love for her rescuer, Idamante, son of the Cretan King Idomeneo, and hatred for her father’s Greek enemies. Idamante frees the Trojan prisoners in a gesture of good will. Trojans and Cretans welcome his action, but Elettra, daughter of the Greek King Agamemnon does not approve of Idamante’s clemency toward the enemy prisoners. Arbace, the king’s confidant, brings news that Idomeneo has been lost at sea while returning to Crete from Troy. Elettra, sensing Idamante’s love for Ilia and fearing her Trojan rival may become Queen of Crete, invokes the furies of the underworld.

In a storm at sea, Idomeneo is saved from drowning by making a vow to Neptune (god of the sea) to sacrifice, once safely on land, the first living creature he should meet. Idamante comes looking for his father. When Idomeneo realises the youth that he must sacrifice for the sake of his vow is his own child, he orders Idamante away from him. Idamante is grief-stricken by his father’s rejection. The Cretans praise Neptune for Idomeneo’s safe arrival home.

Act 2

Idomeneo seeks counsel from Arbace, who suggests sending Idamante into exile to avoid the sacrifice demanded by Neptune. Idomeneo orders his son to escort Elettra to her home, Argos. Ilia declares her allegiance to Idomeneo: since she has lost everything, he will be her father and Crete her country. Idomeneo’s realisation that Ilia has feelings for Idamante further deepens his sorrow. Euphoric, Elettra welcomes the prospect of going to Argos with Idamante as her betrothed. At the port of Sidon Idomeneo bids his son farewell. Before the ship can sail, a great storm breaks and a sea monster appears. Recognizing it as a messenger from Neptune, the king offers himself as atonement for having violated his vow to the god.

Act 3

Ilia asks the breezes to carry her love to Idamante, who comes to farewell Ilia before he leaves to prove himself by killing the sea monster – he would rather die than suffer the torments of his rejected love. Ilia confesses her love for him. They are surprised by Elettra and Idomeneo, who refuses to explain why he rejects Idamante. Arbace grieves for Crete, now in the grip of crisis. The High Priest tells the king of the destruction caused by Neptune’s monster, urging Idomeneo to reveal the name of the sacrificial victim demanded by the god. When the king confesses names his own son, the populace is horrified.

All pray that the god may be appeased. Arbace brings news that Idamante has killed the monster, but Idomeneo fears new reprisals from Neptune. Idamante enters, ready to die.

After an agonizing farewell, Idomeneo is about to sacrifice his son when Ilia intervenes, offering her own life instead. The Voice of Neptune decrees that Idomeneo must yield the throne to Ilia and Idamante. Thwarted again, Elettra rails against her fate. Idomeneo presents Idamante and his bride as the new rulers as the Cretan people celebrate.

Who are the main characters, and who are they played by?

Idomeneo – Steve Davislim.

Idamante – Catherine Carby.

Ilia – Kathryn Radcliffe

Elettra – Olivia Cranwell

Arbace – Michael Dimovski

High Priest of Neptune – James Egglestone

Voice of Oracle (Neptune) – Simon Meadows

CHORUS
Emily Burke, Kirilie Blythman, Nicole Wallace, Elizabeth Barrow, Shania Eliassen, Teresa Ingrilli, Emily Uhlrich, Jane Magao, Kerrie Bolton, Ursula Paez, Syrah Torii, Shakira Dugan, Lynlee Williams, Olivia Federow-Yemm, Rebecca Crabtree, Paul Biencourt, Alister Lamont, Paul Batey, Alastair Cooper-Golec, Lyndon Green, Irving Dekterev, Fraser Findlay, Stephen Coutts, Alex Pokryshevsky, Henry Shaw, Matan Franco, Peter Tregear, Jonathon Bam, Jerzy Kozlowski, Robert Campbell, Kieran Macfarlane.

What can I expect from this opera?

Idomeneo is an opera seria (“serious opera”) composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with a libretto written by Giambattista Varesco. Premiered in 1781, the opera showcases Mozart’s exceptional talent for composing intricate melodies, rich harmonies, and dramatic vocal writing.

The music in Mozart’s Idomeneo is characterized by its grandeur, emotional depth, and a remarkable blend of classical elegance and intense expressiveness. It embodies the transitional period between the Baroque and Classical styles, showcasing both Mozart’s mastery of the established operatic conventions of his time and his innovative musical language.

The overture sets the tone for the opera, featuring a dynamic interplay of orchestral textures, with lively, dramatic passages alternating with more lyrical and introspective moments. Mozart’s orchestration is rich and varied, employing a wide range of instruments to enhance the dramatic impact of the story.

The vocal writing in Idomeneo is highly demanding and showcases Mozart’s ability to create memorable melodies that capture the essence of the characters and their emotions. The arias, duets, and ensembles are musically intricate and emotionally charged, ranging from moments of profound sadness and despair to joyful celebrations of love and triumph.

One of the highlights of the opera is the celebrated aria D’Oreste, d’Ajace in which the titular character, Idomeneo, expresses his inner turmoil and conflicting emotions. This aria is a stunning display of vocal virtuosity, featuring rapid runs, leaps, and dramatic vocal lines that convey the character’s anguish and torment.

The chorus also plays a significant role in Idomeneo, representing the collective voice of the people and adding depth and resonance to the musical tapestry. The choruses are often majestic and powerful, reflecting the opera’s grand themes and the weight of the dramatic situations.

Mozart’s orchestration throughout the opera is highly effective in evoking various moods and atmospheres, from delicate and tender moments to intense and dramatic climaxes. The use of woodwinds, brass, and strings in combination with the occasional harpsichord or organ creates a rich and colorful orchestral palette.