Idomeneo: Synopsis

ACT I Troy has been defeated by the forces of the King of Crete, Idomeneo and his Greek allies. In his absence, Idomeneo has left his son Idamante as ruler. Elettra, the Greek Princess of Argos, is in love with Idamante, whose heart belongs to Ilia, a Trojan princess who is held captive on the island of Crete. Ilia struggles with feeling of betrayal of her country but also fears that Idamante favours Elettra. In an attempt to win Ilia over, Idamante announces the release of all Trojan prisoners in honour of his father’s return. The celebration is cut short when Idomeneo’s aide, Arbace, enters to announce that Idomeneo’s ship has been sunk and all on board are drowned. Princess Elettra is particularly distraught. She is jealous of Ilia and fearful that nothing will now stand in the way of the lovers’ union. The Canadian Opera Company presents Idomeneo (co-production with Opéra national du Rhin), 2010. Sophie Karthauser (left) as Ilia. Photo: While returning home, Idomeneo is miraculously saved Alain Kaiser (Opéra national du Rhin, 2007) from the storm at sea by Neptune, the god of the sea, in exchange for a vow that he must sacrifice the first person he meets on shore. That person is his son, Idamante. himself and, when he does, harshly orders his son from his Initially Idamante does not recognize his father having presence. As the people rejoice at the return of their King, been separated for so long. Horrified by the prospect of Idamante laments his father’s apparent coldness towards what he must do, Idomeneo does not immediately identify him.

ACT II Arbace advises Idomeneo to send Idamante away in order to escape the wrath of Neptune. They agree to banish Idamante by having him escort Elettra back to Argos. Elettra is overjoyed that Idamante will be accompanying her to Greece and hopes to win his heart on the voyage.

As they prepare to leave, Neptune summons a hideous sea serpent. Idomeneo confesses that he is to blame for the God’s displeasure since he has broken his vow to sacrifice Idamante. Instead, Idomeneo offers himself as a sacrifice to Neptune. Terrified, the crowd flees.

The Canadian Opera Company presents Idomeneo (co-production with Opéra national du Rhin), 2010. Mireille Delunsch (centre) as Elettra. Photo: Alain Kaiser (Opéra national du Rhin, 2007)

Canadian Opera Company ~ Education and Outreach ~ Idomeneo Study Guide 2009/2010 ~ coc.ca ~ 416-306-2392 The Canadian Opera Company presents Idomeneo (co-production with Opéra national du Rhin), 2010. Left: Sophie Karthauser as Ilia and Sebastien Droy as Idamante. Right: Sebastien Droy as Idamante. Photos: Alain Kaiser (Opéra national du Rhin, 2007)

ACT III Idamante declares that he will fight the sea monster monster. Idamante is resigned to his fate, knowing that provoking Ilia to finally admit her love to him directly. it is the price to be paid for peace. Ilia demands to be Idomeneo and Elettra enter and interrupt the lovers. sacrificed in Idamante’s place. Moved by her selfless Idomeneo, still unable to reveal the exact cause of his actions, Neptune proclaims that Idomeneo can be released actions, orders Idamante to leave Crete. Idamante agrees. from his vow if he agrees to renounce the throne in favour Arbace reports that the people are demanding that the king of his son. consult with Neptune’s High Priest to avoid further disaster. Peace is restored as Idomeneo presents Idamante to the As preparations are being made for the coming sacrifice, people as their new ruler. Arbace announces that Idamante has slain the sea

The tale of the Trojan War has been told through numerous works of Greek literature including the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer. Troy is laid siege to by an alliance of Greek Kings, including King Idomeneo of Crete, led by Agamemnon of Mycenae. The Trojan wars were triggered when Paris of Troy stole away with Helen, the wife of the Spartan King, Menelaus, brother to Agamemnon. After ten years of siege and the deaths of many heroes including Achilles and Ajax, Troy finally fell after the famous ruse of the Trojan horse.

The ancient Greeks believed the Trojan War to be an historical event and Troy to be located in modern day Turkey. By modern times both the war and the city were assumed to be non- historical, but in 1870 the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann excavated a site in the Dardanelles area of Turkey which is now generally accepted to be the modern site of Troy. Many historians now believe that the stories of the Trojan War are an amalgamation of various sieges and expeditions by Mycenaean Greeks and conflicts over control of water trade routes.

Canadian Opera Company ~ Education and Outreach ~ Idomeneo Study Guide 2009/2010 ~ coc.ca ~ 416-306-2392