Idomeneo

Idomeneo, re di Creta ossia Ilia e Idamante (Italian for returns to its more Italian (opera seria) roots; the singers
Idomeneo,[1] King of Crete, or, Ilia and Idamante; usu- were all trained in the classical Italian style, after all, and
ally referred to simply as Idomeneo, K. 366) is an Ital- the recitatives are all classically Italian.
ian language opera seria by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The libretto was adapted by Giambattista Varesco from
a French text by Antoine Danchet, which had been
2 Performance history
set to music by Andr Campra as Idomne in 1712.
Mozart and Varesco were commissioned in 1780 by Karl
Theodor, Elector of Bavaria for a court carnival. He
probably chose the subject, though it might have been
Mozart.[2] The work premiered on 29 January 1781 at
the Residenztheater in Munich, Germany.

Composition

Front page of the 1781 playbill

It was rst performed at the Cuvillis Theatre of the

Munich Residenz on 29 January 1781, under the musical direction of its 25-year-old composer. The opera apparently owed much of its success at its rst performance
to the set designs: a notice in the Munich press did not
mention Mozart by name but said (translation) :"The author, composer and translator are all natives of Salzburg;
the decors, among which the view of the port and Neptunes temple were outstanding, were masterpieces by
our renowned theatre designer, court Councillor Lorenzo
Quaglio, and everyone admired them tremendously.[4]
Idomeneo was Mozarts rst mature opera. With it he
demonstrated a mastery of orchestral color, accompanied
recitatives, and melodic line. Mozart fought with the librettist, the court chaplain Varesco, making large cuts and
changes, even down to specic words and vowels disliked
by the singers (too many i"s in rinvigorir, which in Italian is pronounced as in bee).[5] Idomeneo was performed
three times in Munich. Later in 1781 Mozart considered (but did not put into eect) revisions that would have
brought the work closer into line with Glucks style; this
would have meant a bass Idomeneo and a tenor Idamante.

Mozarts original score for KV366, showing cancellations

The libretto clearly draws inspiration from Metastasio in

its overall layout, the type of character development, and
the highly poetic language used in the various numbers
and the secco and stromentato recitatives. The style of
the choruses, marches, and ballets is very French, and the
shipwreck scene towards the end of act I is almost identical to the structure and dramatic working-out of a similar
scene in Gluck's Iphignie en Tauride. The sacrice and
oracle scenes are similar to Glucks Iphignie en Aulide
and Alceste.

Kurt Kramer[3] has suggested that Varesco was familiar with Calzabigi and therefore the work of Gluck, especially the latters Alceste; much of what we see in
Varescos most dramatic passages is the latest French
style, mediated by Calzabigi. It is thanks to Mozart,
though, that this mixture of French styles (apart from a
few choruses) moves away from Gluck and France and A concert performance was given in 1786 at the Palais
1

5 SYNOPSIS

Auersperg in Vienna. For this, Mozart wrote some new

music, made some cuts, and changed Idamante from a
castrato to a tenor.

3 Roles

The British premiere was given by the amateur Glasgow

Grand Opera Society in 1934. The rst performance in
the United States was produced by Boris Goldovsky at
the Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood during the
summer of 1947.[6]
Today Idomeneo is part of the standard operatic repertoire. There are several recordings of it (see below), and
it is regularly performed.
In 2006 there was a controversy over the cancelling of
a 2003 production directed by Hans Neuenfels at the
Deutsche Oper Berlin (see 2006 Idomeneo controversy).

2.1

Richard Strauss version

The approach of the 150th anniversary of Idomeneo's premiere placed some major European opera houses in a
quandary: commemorative performances of so magnicent and historically important a score seemed obligatory,
but, at the same time, how dared they mount an opera
that 1930/31 audiences were bound to reject as hopelessly unstageworthy? The solution hit on in Munich and
Vienna was to have Idomeneo adapted for modern tastes,
but to show due reverence to Mozarts genius by entrust- Anton Raa as Idomeneo in Munich
ing the adaptations to famous twentieth-century opera
composers with impeccable credentials as Mozarteans.
Thus Munich commissioned an Idomeneo revision from
Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, performed in 1931, and the same 4 Instrumentation
year the Vienna State Opera presented a distinctively interventionist version of the score by Richard Strauss.
The instrumentation is:
For his adaptation of Idomeneo, Strauss employed a German libretto by Lothar Wallerstein that was partially a
Woodwinds: 2 utes, piccolo (only in the storm of
translation of the original Italian libretto, but with some
act 2), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (in A, B-at, and B), 2
changes to reect the rearranging of the music. Strauss
bassoons. B clarinets (an instrument that is now obreplaced about 1/3 of Mozarts score with some of his
solete) are used in No. 15 (p.283 in NMA) and
own music (even introducing the Fall of Troy motif
No. 19 (p.352).
from his own 1928 opera Die gyptische Helena), and re Brass: 4 horns (in D, in C, in B-at (alto)/in B
arranged much of the music left behind. For example,
(hoch), in G), 2 trumpets in D, 3 trombones (only
Ilias opening aria "Padre, germani, addio!" is mostly inaccompanying the o-stage voice of Neptune in act
tact with a few changes to the long introductory recitative,
3)
but when Idamante (specically written to be sung by a
tenor in this version) enters, he sings Mozarts "Non te Percussion: timpani in D and in A
mer amato bene", K. 490, (which was added to Mozarts
original revision of Idomeneo) instead of "Non ho colpa".
Basso continuo in recitatives of harpsichord and
A few major changes to the plot were made as well, such
violoncello (period performance practice often uses
as changing princess Elettra to priestess Ismene. Critics
a fortepiano only)
have noted that Strausss additions contain an interesting
Strings
blend of the classical style of composition and Strausss
own characteristic sound. In 1984, New Yorks Mostly
Mozart Festival presented Strausss version with Jerry
Hadley in the title role, Delores Ziegler as Idamante, and 5 Synopsis
Alessandra Marc as Ismene.[7]

5.1

Act 1

Island of Crete, shortly after the Trojan War. Ilia, daughter of the defeated Trojan King Priam, was taken to
Crete after the war. She loves Prince Idamante, son
of Idomeneo, but she hesitates to acknowledge her love.
Idamante frees the Trojan prisoners in a gesture of good
will. He tells Ilia, who is rejecting his love, that it is not
his fault that their fathers were enemies. Trojans and Cretans together welcome the return of peace, but Electra,
daughter of the Greek King Agamemnon, is jealous of
Ilia and does not approve of Idamantes clemency toward
the enemy prisoners. Arbace, the kings condant, brings
news that Idomeneo has been lost at sea while returning
to Crete from Troy. Electra, fearing that Ilia, a Trojan,
soon will be Queen of Crete, feels the furies of Hades
tormenting her.

neo can only reply that the youth must leave. Ilia asks
for consolation from Electra, who is preoccupied with revenge. Arbace comes with news that the people, led by
the High Priest of Neptune, are clamoring for Idomeneo.
The High Priest tells the king of the destruction caused by
Neptunes monster, urging Idomeneo to reveal the name
of the person whose sacrice is demanded by the god.
When the king confesses that his own son is the victim,
the populace is horried.
Outside the temple, the king and High Priest join Neptunes priests in prayer that the god may be appeased.
Arbace brings news that Idamante has killed the monster.
As Idomeneo fears new reprisals from Neptune, Idamante
enters in sacricial robes, saying he understands his fathers torment and is ready to die. After an agonizing
farewell, Idomeneo is about to sacrice his son when Ilia
intervenes, oering her own life instead. The Voice of
Neptune is heard. Idomeneo must yield the throne to Ilia
and Idamante. Everyone is relieved except Electra, who
longs for her own death. Idomeneo presents Idamante
and his bride as the new rulers. The people call upon the
god of love and marriage to bless the royal pair and bring
peace.

Idomeneo is saved by Neptune (god of the sea) and is

washed up on a Cretan beach. There he recalls the vow
he made to Neptune: to sacrice, if he should arrive
safely on land, the rst living creature he should meet.
Idamante approaches him, but because the two have not
seen each other for a long time, recognition is dicult.
When Idomeneo nally realizes the youth that he must
sacrice for the sake of his vow is his own child, he
orders Idamante never to seek him out again. Grief- 6 Noted
stricken by his fathers rejection, Idamante runs o. Cretan troops disembarking from Idomeneos ship are met
Act 1
by their wives, and all praise Neptune.

5.2

Act 2

At the kings palace, Idomeneo seeks counsel from Arbace, who says another victim could be sacriced if
Idamante were sent into exile. Idomeneo orders his son
to escort Electra to her home, Argos. Idomeneos kind
words to Ilia move her to declare that since she has lost everything, he will be her father and Crete her country. As
she leaves, Idomeneo realizes that sending Idamante into
exile has cost Ilia her happiness as well as his own. Electra welcomes the idea of going to Argos with Idamante.

arias

Padre, germani,
farewell), Ilia

addio (Father,

brothers,

Non ho colpa (I am not guilty), Idamantes

Tutte nel cor vi sento furie del cupo averno (I can
feel you all in my heart, furies of the dark hell),
Electra
Vedrommi intorno (I shall see around me),
Idomeneo
Il padre adorato (My beloved father), Idamantes

At the port of Sidon (a ctional city of Crete), Idomeneo

Act 2
bids his son farewell and urges him to learn the art of ruling while he is away. Before the ship can sail, however, a
Se il tuo duol (If your pain), Arbaces
storm breaks out, and a sea serpent appears. Recognizing
it as a messenger from Neptune, the king oers himself
Se il padre perdei (If I lost my father), Ilia
as atonement for having violated his vow to the god.
Fuor del mar (Outside the sea), Idomeneo

5.3

Act 3

Idol mio (My sweetheart), Electra

In the royal garden, Ilia asks the breezes to carry her love Act 3
to Idamante, who appears, explaining that he must go to
ght the serpent. When he says he would rather die than
Zeretti lusinghieri (Pleasant Zephyrus), Ilia
suer the torments of his rejected love, Ilia confesses her
Se col ne' fati scritto (If it is written in the
love. They are surprised by Electra and Idomeneo. When
destiny), Arbaces
Idamante asks his father why he sends him away, Idome-

10
No, la morte io non pavento (No, I am not afraid
of dying, Idamantes
D'Oreste, d'Ajace ho in seno i tormenti (I feel
Orestess and Ajaxs torments in my heart), Electra

EXTERNAL LINKS

8 See also
List of operas by Mozart
2006 Idomeneo controversy

Torna la pace (Peace comes again), Idomeneo

9 References
7

Recordings

7.1

Audio

7.2

Video

James Levine (1982). Deutsche Grammophon.

Starring: Luciano Pavarotti, Frederica von Stade,
Ileana Cotrubas, Hildegard Behrens and John
Alexander. This was the Metropolitan Opera's rst
production of the work.

[1] pronounced [idomeneo]

[2] David Cairns, Mozart and his Operas, 2006, p. 36.
University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-22898-6
[3] Kurt Kramer, Antike und christliches Mittelalter in
Varescos Idomeneo, dem Libretto zu Mozarts gleichnamiger Oper in Mitteilungen der Internationalen Stiftung
Mozarteum, xxviii/12 (1980), 6.20
[4] Heartz, Daniel (1995). Haydn, Mozart and the Viennese
School: 1740-1780. W.W. Norton. p. 708. ISBN 9780393037128.
[5] Cairns, p. 45

Bernard Haitink (1983). NVC Arts. Staged by

Trevor Nunn. Starring: Philip Langridge, Jerry
Hadley (singing the tenor version of Idamante),
Yvonne Kenny, Carol Vaness. Filmed in Glyndebourne, studio condition.
Marco Guidarini (2004). Dynamic. Staged by Pier
Luigi Pizzi. Starring: Kurt Streit; Sonia Ganassi;
Angeles Blancas Gulin; Iano Tamar; Jrg Schneider;
Dario Magnabosco; Deyan Vatchkov; Antonietta
Bellon; Lucia Gaeta; Carmine Durante, Carmine
Mennella. Orchestra and Chorus of Naples's Teatro
di San Carlo.
Daniel Harding (2005). RAI Trade. Camilla Tilling, Emma Bell, Monica Bacelli, Steve Davislim,
Francesco Meli. Staged by Luc Bondy. Live from
La Scala.
Sir Roger Norrington (2006). Decca. Part of the
M22 Project from the Salzburg Festival. Staged by
Ursel and Karl-Ernt Herrmann at House for Mozart.
Starring: Ramn Vargas, Magdalena Koen, Anja
Harteros, Ekaterina Siurina, Jerey Francis.
Kent Nagano (2008). Medici Arts. Staged by Dieter
Dorn. Starring: John Mark Ainsley, Pavol Breslik (singing the tenor version of Idamante), Juliane
Banse, Annette Dasch, Rainer Trost, Guy de Mey,
Steven Humes. Live from the Bavarian State Opera.
Nikolaus Harnoncourt (2009). styriarte Festival
Edition. Staged by Nikolaus and Philipp Harnoncourt. Starring: Saimir Pirgu; Julia Kleiter; MarieClaude Chappuis; Eva Mei; Arnold Schoenberg
Choir; Concentus Musicus Wien. Includes all original ballet scenes.

[6] Goldovsky, Boris, My Road to Opera, Houghton Miin,

1979
[7] Music: Strausss Setting of Mozarts Idomeneo", The New
York Times
[8] Source of recordings: operadis-opera-discography.org.uk
Retrieved 21 February 2013

10 External links

Idomeneo: Score and critical report (German) in the

Neue Mozart-Ausgabe (Daniel Heartz, Bruce Alan
Brown)
Idomeneo: Scores at the International Music Score
Library Project
Synopsis, Metropolitan Opera
San Diego OperaTalk! with Nick Reveles: Mozarts
Idomeneo
Libretto

11
11.1

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

Text

Idomeneo Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idomeneo?oldid=659213793 Contributors: Viajero, Zoicon5, Selket, Grendelkhan, Marleau, DHN, JackofOz, Goldsweig, Nunh-huh, Rick Block, Bergonzc, Marcus2, Willhsmit, Ukexpat, Dbachmann, Dmr2, Art LaPella,
Yzernik, Elipongo, Ziggurat, Pearle, A2Kar, Echuck215, Ghirlandajo, Dan East, Briangotts, Bernburgerin, GregorB, Hughcharlesparker,
Drbogdan, Rjwilmsi, FlaBot, DrG, DrGeoduck, Gdrbot, YurikBot, Johantheghost, Closedmouth, Pdraic MacUidhir, SmackBot, Melchoir,
Unyoyega, Vald, Jagged 85, Kintetsubualo, Cool3, Carl.bunderson, Timbouctou, Kleinzach, Greatgavini, Roscelese, FordPrefect42, VivaVerdi, Colonies Chris, Writtenright, GuillaumeTell, Wybot, Autopilot, BrownHairedGirl, Heimstern, Michael Bednarek, Voceditenore,
Feureau, Not-from-here, Kamalesh9, Mohammed al-Khawal, AlbertSM, Nunquam Dormio, WeggeBot, Moreschi, Cricketgirl, DavidRF,
Thijs!bot, TonyTheTiger, Giawgwan, AnAj, Sean Parmelee, Tjmayerinsf, JAnDbot, Coughinink, Vlad b, Stupefaction, Azriel1970, Being
blunt, Whjayg, VolkovBot, Nrswanson, Slysplace, Bwv1004, Barkeep, SieBot, Moreschi(AWB), Phe-bot, Ultrabias, ClueBot, Safebreaker,
Niceguyedc, Brianboulton, Bogorm, DumZiBoT, Goldfarbdj, XLinkBot, Cg2p0B0u8m, Addbot, LaaknorBot, CarsracBot, Tassedethe,
Luckas-bot, AnomieBOT, Jeanambr, Uctelevision, GrouchoBot, Karmanaut206, RibotBOT, AlbertoBegal, Norcalrobbie2, St. Kulturveranstaltungen, Gerda Arendt, Double sharp, Jfmantis, EmausBot, Rahvusooper, Chipoe, Wikipelli, ZroBot, Francesco Malipiero, Pevez,
CHaMu, Waldstein1981, Helpful Pixie Bot, BFolkman, Atonio0007, ManualH, , Smeat75, LoneWolf1992, Basemetal, Sartorialpics, Thornton Arbre enchante, Belcantofan, Syek88, SoSivr, PalmerWolf and Anonymous: 74

11.2

Images

File:Anton_Raaff_als_Idomeneo.JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Anton_Raaff_als_Idomeneo.

JPG License: Public domain Contributors: Die Chronik Bayerns, Chronik Verlag, Gtersloh/Mnchen, 3. Au. 1994, S. 273 Original
artist: Unknown
File:CD_icon.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/CD_icon.svg License: LGPL Contributors: All Crystal
icons were posted by the author as LGPL on kde-look Original artist: Everaldo Coelho (YellowIcon);
File:Croce-Mozart-Detail.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Croce-Mozart-Detail.jpg License: Public
domain Contributors: [1] Original artist: Johann Nepomuk della Croce (17361819)
File:Idomeneo_score.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Idomeneo_score.jpg License: Public domain
Contributors: http://staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/ Original artist: Mozart
File:Livret_d'Idomno_de_Mozart.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Livret_d%27Idom%C3%
A9n%C3%A9o_de_Mozart.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: bnf Original artist: Varesco, Mozart

11.3

Content license

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