“Far from the sea, a storm rages within me, fiercer and far more painful.” – Idomeneo

Drowning at sea in a vicious storm, the King of Crete makes a terrible vow to Neptune. To save his ship and his men, he will sacrifice the first human life he encounters on land. Bound by his rash promise, Idomeneo comes ashore and meets his own son. The choice he makes next sets the vengeance of the gods upon the people of Crete.

Rooted in the ancient mythology of the Trojan War’s aftermath, Mozart’s epic opera remains a story for our time. It explores human themes we recognise today: the fallout of war, natural catastrophe, grief, love and human frailty.

In Lindy Hume’s new production, the human emotion and mythic power of the drama is reflected in an immersive set evoking the epic seas, skies and rugged coastline of ancient Crete.

A vivid showpiece of the composer’s power, brilliance, sweeping scope and idealism, Mozart wrote Idomeneo when he was just 25 years old. Renowned opera conductor Johannes Fritzsch conducts a brilliant cast featuring German-Canadian tenor Michael Schade making his Opera Australia debut in the title role alongside talented Australians Caitlin Hulcup, Celeste Lazarenko and Emma Pearson.