Idomeneo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Idomeneo |
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| by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | |
Portrait by Doris Stock, 1789
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| Genre | Opera seria in 3 acts |
| Librettist | Lorenzo da Ponte |
| Language | Italian |
| Premiere | Munich 29 January 1781 |
Idomeneo is a serious opera with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The words, called the libretto, are in Italian. They were written by Giambattista Varesco, who based them on an old French story.
In 1780, the ruler of Bavaria asked Mozart and Varesco to create an opera for a court celebration. Idomeneo was first performed in Munich on 29 January 1781. Mozart was only 24 years old at the time. Many people consider it to be the first of his truly great operas.
Mozart wrote different kinds of operas. Idomeneo is an opera seria, which means "serious opera." These operas are usually in Italian and tell dramatic stories, often from Ancient Greece or Rome. Another example of Mozart's serious operas is La Clemenza di Tito. Some of his other works, like Don Giovanni, mix serious and funny parts. The Magic Flute is a German opera in the Singspiel style, which includes spoken dialogue.
Idomeneo uses traditional opera parts like recitatives (sung speech) and arias (songs). It also has big choruses, marches, and ballets, which were common in French operas. Mozart was inspired by the operas of Gluck.
Contents
The Story of Idomeneo
Act 1: A King's Terrible Promise
The story takes place on the island of Crete, right after the Trojan War. Ilia, the daughter of the defeated Trojan King Priam, has been brought to Crete. She secretly loves Prince Idamante, who is the son of King Idomeneo of Crete. But she doesn't want to tell him.
Idamante is kind and sets the Trojan prisoners free. He tells Ilia that the war between their fathers isn't his fault. Both the Trojans and Cretans are happy about the new peace. However, Electra, daughter of the Greek King Agamemnon, is jealous of Ilia. She is angry that Idamante was so kind to the prisoners.
Arbace, the king's trusted friend, brings bad news. He says that King Idomeneo drowned at sea while returning from Troy. Electra is worried that Ilia, a Trojan, might become Queen of Crete. She feels tormented by angry thoughts.
But Idomeneo is not lost at sea! He was saved by Neptune, the god of the sea. Neptune washed him ashore on a Cretan beach. Idomeneo remembers a terrible promise he made to Neptune: he promised to sacrifice (offer to the gods) the first living creature he met.
The first person he meets is his own son, Idamante. At first, they don't recognize each other because they haven't seen each other in a long time. When Idomeneo finally realizes it's his son, he is horrified. He tells Idamante to leave and never see him again. Idamante doesn't understand why his father is so upset and runs off, heartbroken. Soon, the Cretan soldiers arrive from Idomeneo's ship and are greeted by their families. Everyone praises Neptune for saving the king.
Act 2: A Monster's Fury
At the palace, Idomeneo asks Arbace for advice. He feels terrible for breaking his promise to Neptune. Arbace suggests that Neptune might be happy if another person is sacrificed, as long as Idamante is sent away to another country. So, Idomeneo tells his son to take Electra to her home, Argos.
Idomeneo speaks kindly to Ilia, which makes her feel better. She tells him that since she has lost everything, he will be like a father to her, and Crete will be her new home. As she leaves, Idomeneo realizes that sending Idamante away has made Ilia sad. Meanwhile, Electra is happy about going to Argos with Idamante.
At the port of Sidon, Idomeneo says goodbye to his son. He tells Idamante to rule like a good king. But before the ship can sail, a huge storm begins, and a giant sea serpent appears! It is a messenger from Neptune, who is very angry with Idomeneo. Idomeneo offers his own life to the god to stop the monster.
Act 3: A God's Forgiveness
In the royal garden, Ilia asks the gentle winds to carry her love to Idamante. Idamante arrives, saying he must go fight the sea serpent. He tells Ilia he wishes he could die because he thinks she doesn't love him. This makes Ilia finally tell him that she loves him.
Suddenly, Electra and Idomeneo arrive and surprise them. When Idamante asks his father why he is sending him away, Idomeneo cannot tell him the truth about his promise to Neptune. Ilia tries to be kind to Electra, but Electra is furious with jealousy and wants revenge.
Arbace rushes in with news: the people, led by Neptune's High Priest, are demanding to see Idomeneo. The High Priest tells the king that Neptune's monster is destroying everything. He asks Idomeneo to name the person whose sacrifice the god demands. When the king sadly says that his own son is the victim, everyone is horrified.
Outside the temple, the king and High Priest, along with Neptune's priests, pray for the god to be kind. Arbace brings more news: Idamante has killed the monster! Idomeneo is now even more worried that Neptune will want more revenge.
Idamante enters, dressed in robes for sacrifice. He says he understands his father's terrible worries and is ready to die. Idomeneo says a tragic goodbye to his son and is about to sacrifice him. But then, Ilia steps forward and offers to die instead!
At this moment, Neptune changes his mind. His voice is heard, saying that if Idomeneo gives up being king and lets Idamante and Ilia rule as king and queen, he will forgive them. Everyone is overjoyed, except for Electra, who is so angry she wishes to die. Idomeneo announces that Idamante and his bride, Ilia, will be the new rulers. The people pray to the god of love and marriage to bless the new royal couple and bring lasting peace.
See also
In Spanish: Idomeneo, rey de Creta para niños
