Idomeneo, re di Creta

BACKGROUND

Crete, around 1200 BCE. Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, is abducted by Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy. This triggers the Trojan War. Several Greek kings join forces to lay siege to Troy, including King Idomeneus (Idomeneo) of Crete and Menelaus’s brother Agamemnon. After the war, Idomeneo sends several Trojan prisoners of war ahead to Crete, among whom Princess Ilia, Priam’s daughter. Upon her arrival, she is rescued from a storm by Idomeneo’s son Idamante, who, in his father’s absence, acts as regent. Agamemnon’s daughter, Electra (Elettra), also seeks refuge on Crete after her brother Orestes – with her help – has murdered their mother and the latter’s lover.

ACT I

Princess Ilia is torn by conflicting feelings: her hatred of the barbaric Greeks who massacred her family and people, and her secret love for the honourable Idamante. In the distance, King Idomeneo’s fleet is spotted. In honour of this triumphant day and out of love for Ilia, Idamante frees the Trojan prisoners of war. While everyone rejoices, the jealous Elettra, who has set her heart on Idamante, protests against the release of the Trojans. Then news reaches them that Idomeneo has drowned in a storm at sea. Overcome with grief, Idamante rushes to the beach. Left behind, Elettra realizes with growing anger that if the King of Crete has indeed perished, her hopes of marrying Idamante are also dashed.

In the midst of the raging storm, the Greek sailors beg the gods for mercy. As if by a miracle, Idomeneo and some of his men survive the shipwreck. Back on land, the king reflects on the vow he made to the sea god Neptune in exchange for saving his life: to sacrifice the first person he encounters on land. Stumbling across the beach, the mourning Idamante comes face to face with a dishevelled stranger, whom he rushes to aid. Before Idomeneo can kill the young man, the two recognize each other as father and son. Filled with horror, Idomeneo shrinks from his son’s embrace and leaves, forbidding Idamante from following him. forbidding Idamante from following him. Inconsolable and confused, Idamante remains behind. Meanwhile, the people pay homage to Neptune for the safe return of their king.

ACT II

Idomeneo ponders over the terrible vow he made. He decides that Idamante must leave the island as soon as possible: he will sail with Elettra to her home town of Argos and build a new life there, far from Neptune’s wrath. When Ilia lovingly tells Idomeneo that she now considers Crete her new home and him her father, Idomeneo suspects that she has feelings for Idamante. The king realizes how much suffering his decision cause and how the sea that spared him continues to rage within him. Only Elettra, who overhears Idomeneo’s plan, is delighted: she sees her chance to win Idamante for herself when he is separated from her rival.

A boat lies waiting to take Idamante and Elettra away. Idamante still knows nothing of the vow to Neptune and is deeply saddened by his father’s abrupt decision, but he obeys and prepares to leave. As they are about to depart, a violent storm suddenly breaks out. A terrifying sea monster rises amid the thunder and lightning. The frightened people realise that someone has offended the gods and demand to know who is responsible. Idomeneo confesses that he is the guilty one. The crowd flees in panic.

ACT III

Alone and sad, Ilia expresses her secret love for Idamante, who then appears to take his leave of her for good: he is determined to fight the sea monster at all costs. Ilia’s despair makes Idamante realize that his feelings for her are mutual, and the two declare their eternal love and fidelity to each other.

Meanwhile, the sea monster wreaks terrible carnage. The high priest demands to know who was promised to Neptune; this is the only way to stop the bloodshed. To everyone’s horror, Idomeneo reveals that it is his own son. While the sacrifice is being prepared, cries of victory are heard in the distance: Idamante has defeated the sea monster. The young hero returns and finally understands that his father had not rejected him out of hatred, but out of love. To restore peace, Idamante decides to sacrifice himself to the sea god. Just as Idomeneo is about to strike, Ilia intervenes and demands to take her beloved’s place. Suddenly, a subterranean voice echoes through the temple: if Idomeneo abdicates the throne to Idamante and Ilia, the gods will be satisfied. With the exception of Elettra, everyone is delighted when Idomeneo blesses the union of the new royal couple.

Translation: Patrick Lennon