IDOMENEO - Styriarte

The Greeks celebrate Neptune, the god of the sea, in an interval
act with ballet and chorus (intermezzo).
ACT II: IN THE PALACE, ARBACE AND IDOMENEO LOOK FOR
a way out. Arbace advises the king to send his son away. He is to
go to Argos with Electra to help her defeat her adversaries there.
While Arbace delivers the news to them, Ilia appears before the
king. Surprisingly, she reveals to him her tender feelings for
Crete, her new home. The king quickly catches on to Ilia’s love
for Idamante and his love for her. He now tries to play down his
own fault, yes, even trying to shift the blame on to Idamante,
since he was the one who had freed their enemies in his all-embracing
love of mankind. Desperate, he finds himself caught in a
storm of emotions, one that is much stronger than the first
storm. Electra is the only one who is overjoyed: She is allowed to
depart with the prince she loves. And she knows that when they
are abroad, she will manage to arouse his love for her. She is reminded
of their departure by the far-reaching sound of marches.
In the harbour, the sailors have gathered together to form a farewell
choir and Electra joins in as well. The king and the prince
appear together. Idamante only obeys reluctantly. All of his
thoughts turn to Ilia and yet he still does not know the reason
for his father’s anger. Mischief hovers over their farewell. As
they approach the ships, another storm breaks out. Lightning
sets the ships on fire, big waves flood the harbour, and a sea
monster appears. The horrified people look for a culprit. Idomeneo
confesses his guilt and refuses to sacrifice the innocent victim
to Neptune. The storm continues to rage and everybody flees
the monster.
ACT III: ONLY WHEN SHE IS ALONE DOES ILIA DARE TO
reveal her true feelings to the winds and the flowers. As soon as
Idamante appears, she tries to avoid him once again. Only when
he announces to kill himself does she confess her love for him.
While they both seal their union by a duet, they are surprised by
Idomeneo und Electra. As his father brusquely rejects him again,
Idamante decides to commit suicide. Ilia wants to accompany
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