Next up at London’s Royal Opera House is Mozart’s Idomeneo.  So, what’s that all about?

This one’s set shortly after the Trojan war so hold onto your hats it might get dramatically bumpy.  Or should that be hold your horses?

The main players are; the lovely princess Ilia, daughter of King Priam of Troy; the son of her father’s great enemy with whom she happens to be in love, Idamante; Elettra, princess of Argos (who has a crush on Idamante and thinks he’s too soft on the Trojans); and Arbace, Idomeneo’s best mate…oh and, of course, Idomeneo himself, Idamante’s father whom everyone thinks has drowned. Oh, and there are some  Cretan Wives, High Priestesses and Sea Monsters too.

Ilia is beating herself up for falling for a man who is in part to blame for the death of her family and the sacking of her native Troy.  This is how the opera begins.

We then see the hero Idamante release the Trojan prisoners and restore peace.  Ilia is still unhappy, although Idamante tries to convince her there is nothing wrong with them being in love (non ho colpa).

Meanwhile, Elettra is even less happy. She sees that at this rate Ilia will wind up Queen of Crete.  She is tormented by the Furies.

Cut to Idomeneo’s ship being washed up on a local beach.  He sings about a deal he made with Neptune.  The first person he sees he must sacrifice to the Sea God.

Cue Idamante.  It takes a while, Idamante is older and Idomeneo is a bit worse for wear, but soon Idomeneo realises that he will have to sacrifice his own son. Distraught he tells Idamante to leave him alone and never come back.  Upset, Idamante runs off. Act One ends on a cheery note however, as all the crew of Idomeneo’s ship are reunited with their wives and sing praise to Neptune.

Here’s Idamante getting upset after his dad telling him to get lost…

…did I mention Idamante is a castrato role (most commonly played by a mezzo-soprano lady) – and before you roll your eyes remember that you enjoy panto with its Principal Boys as much as anyone! N.B. there is a version with Idamante re-written as a tenor.