Mozart's Opera seria/drama in three acts. Drama opera Idomeneo. Information. Cast of Characters.
Synopsis.
Opera
Idomeneo, K366, was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).
Libretto by Giambattista Varesco based on Antoine
Danchet libretto for "Idoménée"
by André Campra.
Language: Italian.
Premiere: 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).
Cast of Characters:
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
Synopsis:
Act 1.
As a result to the Trojan War, Ilia the Trojan
princess, 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. This is not so. 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 but 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
another 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. He guesses 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 his 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. He 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.
Video Credit:
Mozart's Idomeneo Overture. YouTube, uploaded by TheWiseMonkey89. Accessed January 29, 2018.
Resources:
Quaintance
Opera p.80
The Da Capo Music p. 280
And some other opera books from my private library. Tel
Note: This piece was first published at Suite101.com, April 21, 2008.
