October 13. 2018 - November 02. 2018

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October 13. 2018 - November 02. 2018

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New-to-Chicago Production Idomeneo

One of Mozart’s noblest characters, King Idomeneo of Crete is also the most loving of operatic fathers.

Shipwrecked, he gets safely to shore only after promising Neptune to sacrifice the first person he sees—but it’s his son, Idamante. As Idomeneo agonizes over the catastrophe facing him, Idamante woos one princess, the lovely Ilia, and is madly pursued by another, the jealous Elettra. Through all their sorrows and joys, the constant is Mozart’s heavenly music—ravishing in its beauty, stirring in its eloquence, and reaching deeply into the soul of every character.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 3 hours, 35 minutes with 2 intermissions
Location: Lyric Opera House

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One of [Polenzani's] most compelling performances ever.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Superb singing, astute acting and, above all, one of Mozart’s most imposing operatic scores.”

Chicago Tribune

Today’s foremost Mozart tenor, Matthew Polenzani, in fine vocal form, heads a cast that is supported by conducting, orchestral playing and choral singing of comparable international caliber.”

Chicago on the Aisle

Immensely talented cast of singers.”

Schmopera

Idomeneo videos

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See what critics are saying about Idomeneo

One of Mozart's noblest characters, King Idomeneo of Crete is also the most loving of operatic fathers.

Erin Wall on her role of Elettra in Mozart's Idomeneo

Hear from Erin Wall as she talks about what it's like to portray the villainous character of Elettra and why everyone should come and experience Mozart's Idomeneo.

David Kneuss on Mozart's Idomeneo

Hear from revival director David Knuess on what makes Idomeneo a brilliant piece in the operatic cannon.

Mozart's Idomeneo

One of Mozart's noblest characters, King Idomeneo of Crete is also the most loving of operatic fathers.

Idomeneo

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

"Se il padre perdei"

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"Placido e il mar"

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"Se il padre perdei"

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Idomeneo

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2018/19 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis. The music featured in Lyric Commentaries is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board

Commentary by Martha Nussbaum

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Idomeneo Articles

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Soprano Janai Brugger Shares her Love for Mozart's Idomeneo

"It's shocking to me that it's not done more often," declares soprano Janai Brugger, who adores Idomeneo. She's captivated by the story, the music, and the characters' nobility.

Five Reasons Why You Need to See Idomeneo

The story! The music! Sir Andrew Davis's conducting!

Synopsis

Ancient Crete, after the Trojan War.

A hero of the Trojan War, King Idomeneo of Crete, is sailing home to be reunited with Idamante, his son. They have not seen each other since the war began many years before. When a storm endangers his ship, Idomeneo begs Neptune to let him land safely. Neptune agrees only when the king promises to sacrifice the first person he sees upon his return.

Ilia, daughter of Troy’s King Priam, is a captive in Crete. Having been nearly shipwrecked, she was saved by Idamante, whom she now loves. Also on the island is Idamante’s fiancée, princess Elettra (Electra) of Argos, who sought refuge after the murder of her mother, Clytemnestra.
Ilia knows that, in loving a Greek, she has betrayed her father and family. Still, she cannot bring herself to despise Idamante. He informs her that Crete’s Trojan prisoners will be given their freedom. Ilia is shocked to hear Idamante confess his love; she reminds him who is father is – and who hers was. Idamante answers that the gods compel him to love her. He orders that the Trojan prisoners be set free. Trojans and Cretans are rejoicing at the dawn of a new, peaceful era when Arbace, the king’s confidant, brings word that Idomeneo has drowned. Everyone departs in distress but Elettra, who is irate: with Idomeneo dead, Idamante will surely marry her rival.

Idomeneo’s sailors are heard from afar, begging the gods for mercy. The sea turns calm, and Idomeneo finally appears. He reflects on the tranquility of his surroundings, but is horrified at the fate awaiting his victim. When he encounters Idamante, only gradually does each discover the other’s identity. Overwhelmed by despair, Idomeneo rejects Idamante’s embrace and rushes away. The prince is left confused and distraught. Idomeneo is soon welcomed home, as the Cretans join in praising Neptune.
Arbace is shocked to learn of Idamante’s vow, and that Idamante must be the sacrifice. Advising the king to send his son away, Arbace also urges that the Cretans be told nothing of the vow. Idomeneo determines that Idamante will serve as Elettra’s escort for her voyage home to Argos. When Ilia appears, Idomeneo expresses his concern for her and offers friendship. Ilia feels that in Idomeneo she has found a new father. She leaves him to his thoughts, which have become a storm he compares to a raging sea.

Elettra is ecstatic at the thought that, once away from her rival, she will succeed in making Idamante hers. She joins the Cretans as they wish for a calm sea and gentle breezes for the couple’s journey. Idomeneo has just bidden his son and Elettra farewell when a terrible storm ensues and a monster emerges from the sea. Idomeneo cries to Neptune to take him, for he is the guilty one. He refuses to offer the god an innocent victim. The Cretans are terrified as they try to escape the monster.
In a moment of solitude, Ilia thinks of Idamante and asks the breezes to carry her love to him. She is agitated when the prince approaches, and stunned when he reveals his intention to fight the monster, even if it means his own death. At last Ilia confesses her love. When Idomeneo appears with Elettra, the king begs Idamante to leave Crete. Idamante vows to wander the world until death claims him; Ilia swears to follow; Idomeneo longs to die; and Elettra wonders when she will be avenged. Arbace informs Idomeneo that the Cretans are calling for him to speak to them. Arbace laments the dire situation that has befallen Crete. The high priest of Neptune tells Idomeneo of the devastation inflicted on the Cretans by the monster. Now Neptune must have what is rightfully his. The king reveals that the sacrificial victim will be his own son. The high priest and the people are horrified.

In the temple of Neptune, the prayers of Idomeneo and the priests are interrupted by cries of victory: Idamante has slain the monster. When the prince appears, he begs his father to fulfill the vow and declares himself unafraid to die. As the king is about to kill his son, Ilia offers herself to be sacrificed in Idamante’s place. Suddenly Neptune’s voice is heard, proclaiming the triumph of love: Idomeneo will abdicate and Idamante will rule, with Ilia as his consort. Exploding with rage and despair, Elettra calls on the Furies to end her agony in death. Idomeneo presents Idamante and Ilia to the people, and expresses his joy at their ascension to the throne. The Cretans ask the gods to bless the pair.

Program book

Go inside this production of Idomeneo with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Matthew Polenzani

Idomeneo

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Evanston native Matthew Polenzani is one of today’s most admired tenors internationally.

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Erin Wall

Elettra

Ryan Opera Center alumna

Canadian-American soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna Erin Wall has sung 12 roles with Lyric since 2001/02.

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Janai Brugger

Ilia

Soprano and Chicago native Janai Brugger is a 2012 triple award-winner at the Operalia competition and a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Brugger has also won the Sphinx Prize and the Marian Anderson Vocal Award.

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Angela Brower

Idamante

Amerian mezzo-soprano Angela Brower made her Lyric debut as Idamante/Idomeneo (2018|19).

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David Portillo

Arbace

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

American tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus David Portillo's Lyric credits include Arbace/Idomeneo (2018/19) and Andres/Wozzeck (2015/16)

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Noah Baetge

High Priest

Pacific Northwest native tenor Noah Baetge was a 2009 Grand Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Baetge received first prize and the Upcoming Wagner Singer prize in the Gerda Lissner Foundation Vocal Competition. He was also awarded the top prize in the George London Foundation Vocal Competition.

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David Weigel

Voice of Neptune

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Three-year Ryan Opera Center bass-baritone David Weigel ia a native of Asheville, North Carolina.

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Whitney Morrison

1st Cretan Woman

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Whitney Morrison, the soprano, a Chicago native and a Ryan Opera Center alumna, has triumphed in multiple roles at Lyric.

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Kayleigh Decker

2nd Cretan Woman

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Decker, spent two years as a Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member.

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Josh Lovell

1st Trojan Man

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Canadian tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Josh Lovell has performed five roles at Lyric since 2017|18.

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Alan Higgs

2nd Trojan Man

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

American bass-baritone and Ryan Opera Center alumnusr Alan Higgs has performed four roles at Lyric since 2017/18.

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Sir Andrew Davis

Conductor

Sir Andrew Davis served as music director and principal conductor of Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2000 through the 2020/21 Season.

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Jean-Pierre Ponnelle

Original Director & Designer

Director and Set and Costume Designer Jean-Pierre Pontelle's Lyric credits include 10 productions since 1972.

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David Kneuss

Revival Director

Director David Kneuss recently completed his tenure at the Metropolitan Opera, where he served as executive stage director for 25 years and directed nearly 100 productions.

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Chris Maravich

Lighting Designer

Chris Maravich, Lighting Director, has been with Lyric Opera since 2014

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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