Idomeneo

Soloists:   

The Israeli Opera Chorus

Chorus Master: Ethan Schmeisser

The Opera Orchestra - The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion

Libretto: Gianbattista Varesco

Adapted from the libretto by Antoine Danchet  for an opera by André Campra

Sung in Italian

 Duration: Aprox three hours and 10 minutes including two intermission

A coproduction with The Vienna Staatsoper

Act I

The ten year long, Trojan War is over and the Greek armies have destroyed the Trojan nation. In Crete, everyone awaits the return of their King Idomeneo, from the war. Ilia, a captive Trojan princess in Crete, is torn between her hatred of her Greek captors and her growing love of Idamante, Idomeneo’s son. Electra, Agamemnon’s daughter, is in Crete where she found refuge after killing her mother. She is in love with Idamante and jealously observes the love that unfolds between Ilia and Idamante. Arbace, the King’s advisor, announces that Idomeneo’s ship has sunk and that the King is dead. Idomeneo however survives the storm as he vowed to Neptune that if the god saves him, he would sacrifice to Neptune the first person he would meet on shore. Idamante finds his father and once the king realized Idamante is his own son he pushes him away.

Act II

Idomeneo reveals his secret to Arbace who suggests sending Idamante far from Crete. Idomeneo decides to send his son with Electra back to Argos. Ilia confesses to Idomeneo that she has found a new father in him and he starts to suspect the love she feels towards his son. Electra believes that with Idamante beside her far away from Crete she will win him over. Idamante bids Ilia farewell but suddenly a storm arises. Neptune’s revenge is upon everyone.

Act III

Ilia yearns for Idamante’s love but opens her heart to him only once she realizes that his about to fight the monster that Neptune has sent to the island. Idomeneo does not answer his son’s questions about why he keeps his distance from him and orders Idamante to leave Crete and find refuge in a faraway place. Arbace announces that the people of Crete, led by the High Priest, demand their King to reveal the reason for the catastrophes falling upon the island. Eventually Idomeneo confesses, revealing that he has to sacrifice his son to Neptune.

Idomeneo and the people of Crete are praying as they prepare the sacrifice ritual. Arbace announces that Idamante has killed the monster and as he returns, the prince eventually understands the reason to his father’s behavior. Idamante in willing to fulfil his father’s vow to Neptune and as the ritual begins Ilia demands to replace him as the victim. Neptune’s voice is heard. The god agrees to revoke the vow as long as Idomeneo gives up the crown and makes Idamante and Ilia the new rulers of Crete. Everyone is happy aside of Electra who collapses.

Back Stage Secrets at the Opera
Many Opportunities to Widen your Opera Experience

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to attend? Do you want to find out some back stage secrets? Do you want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera enables you to widen your opera experience with a variety of pre performance and post-performance events. 

Towards Opening
On Saturday morning before the premiere, the creators of the production and several of the soloists gather to discuss the opera, the production, their own career and today’s opera world. This is a unique opportunity to learn as much as possible about the production and meet the director, conductor, designers and some of the participating soloists. Musical excerpts from the opera illustrate the discussion. Towards Opening takes place before some of each season’s productions.

Pre Performance Lecture
One hour before each opera performance there is a 30-minute introductory lecture in the auditorium (in Hebrew). Opera staffers present the opera and the production and enable the audience to get some extra information a short time before attending the performances. Admission is free for ticket holders. 

Pre Performance Back Stage Tours
What happens backstage before the audience even thinks of getting dressed for the performance? What do the singers do? The conductor? The Technical teams? How does everyone prepare for the performance? A unique opportunity to taste a little bit of the back stage excitement before the curtain ascends/ A concerted half hour tour in places that are not usually open to the general public. Tours begin 90 minute before the performance begins and last 30 minutes. Tickets are 25NIS and can be booked in advance (tickets for each tour are limited). Tours take place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website. Tours from groups both in Hebrew and in English can be booked in advance (sarah@israelopera.org.il )

Opera Talkback
The curtain has just descended on the final scene of the opera. The hour is late. Nut the experience was riveting. This is the time to meet several of the performers. Come to listen and to speak. Ask questions. Meet the artists. A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the artists who have just excited you on the stage. Opera Talkbacks takes place on the second level of the Opera House foyer and last around 30 minutes. Admission free. Opera Talkback takes place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website.