Libretto by Giambattista Varesco after Antoine Danchet’s “Idoménée”. World Premiere on January 29, 1781 in Residenztheater Munich

Conductor: Risto Joost

Stage Director: Veiko Tubin

Designer: Reili Evart

Lighting Designer: Ritšard Bukin

Choreographer: Mehis Saaber

“Idomeneo” is Mozart’s humane drama about the casualties of war, the meaning of fate at the power of love. “Idomeneo” was Mozart’s first major opera. His wonderful music makes great demands on the large cast, and the opera’s everyday themes still touch audiences today.

The original opera is based on the Greek myth about Idomeneo, who spent years fighting in the Trojan war. On the journey home in a violent storm, Idomeneo promises Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes, storms and horses, that he will sacrifice the first person he meets on land if his life is spared. As fate will have it, Idomeneo meets his son Idamante.

In this game of love, passion and justice, sovereignty and politics will clash, the past will meet the now. This turmoil of themes resulted in an exceptional score with challenging arias, virtuoso orchestral parts and powerful choral scenes.