Ilia is again having a sing song on her own.  This time she is in the palace gardens. She asks the gentle breezes to carry her love to Idamante.

Here’s Cotrubas performing it under the baton of James Levine.

She thinks he’s gone to sea with Elettra so when he suddenly turns up she is, needless to say, a little surprised. She finally admits she loves him.  Enter Elettra and Idomeneo. Idomeneo again tells Idamante that he must leave Crete, and he resolves to do so.  In comes Arbace and tells everyone that, surprise surprise, the Cretans are very upset that a sea monster is terrorising them and are demanding that Idomeneo pay his debt to Neptune.

We then move to the temple of the High Priest to Neptune who has a rather epic time telling everyone what the monster has been up to (Volgi intorno lo sgaurdo – Look around you).  This is what’s called an accompanied recitative.  It’s exceptionally dramatic and involves the singer delivering sung declamatory speech while the orchestra heightens the emotion. However, not being such a popular thign to just have a quick listen to, there’s not many versions available.  Here’s a good one though; video is not very interesting I’m afraid!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-SkliuY1MI

Under pressure, Idomeneo announces that it is his son who must be the sacrifice.  Everyone is distraught.  Suddenly, Idamante, never one to follow his father’s orders too carefully, arrives to tell everyone that he has killed the sea monster. Idamante now understands what’s going on and demands that his father sacrifice him to save Crete.  Ilia offers to take his place, but no one is having any of that.  Just as Idomeneo is about to kill Idamante the voice of Neptune is heard.  It turns out he’s not so vengeful after all.  He tells Idomeneo that everyone can live if the king gives up his throne to Idamante and Ilia.  Much rejoicing ensues.  Only Elettra is left wretched.

This is quite a fun rendition…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV5sVPwlvxU

By the way, I haven’t spelt Elettra wrong, no one can seem to decide on her name.  I prefer no ‘c’.

Anyway, it’s all drawing to a close.  Idomeneo agrees to Neptune’s demands and everyone sings a happily ever after song (Scenda Amor, scenda Imeneo – Come Love, come Hymen!).

The End…

Tomorrow, some context.