Concert performance

After the turmoil of the Trojan War, King Idomeneo returns to Crete. He wants to pay homage to the gods with a human sacrifice - but by chance the choice falls on his own son Idamante. With this story of a king torn between reasons of state and feelings, Mozart created a timeless plea for an enlightened, responsible society. Idomeneo was Mozart's declared favourite opera, and his preoccupation with the work's content and music continued long after its premiere in 1781. No wonder he resorted to unusual means here! Influenced by the ‘Sturm und Drang’ movement, Mozart not only broke with classical tragedy in Idomeneo, but also with the rigid form of baroque opera. The rebellion of Idomeneo and his son Idamante against an outdated world characterised by human sacrifice and sea monsters also required a musical rebellion. In the captivating arias, ensembles and grand choruses, Mozart already laid down all the emotions that would immortalise his later operas. In any case, the judgement after the premiere was unambiguous: ‘You wouldn't believe that such a small head could contain something so great,’ exclaimed Munich Elector Karl-Theodor.

Concert performance in Italian with German surtitles

Introduction to the work 30 minutes before curtain-up