Synopsis
Listen to the synopsis
The Trojan War is over. Idomeneo, the King of Crete, returns home after ten years of absence, but encounters a terrible storm on his way. To appease Neptune, he promises to sacrifice the first person he encounters on the shore, without realising that it will be… his own son!
It was to this libretto by Giambattista Varesco that Prince-Elector Karl-Theodor of Bavaria commissioned Mozart to write an opera seria for the Munich Carnival of 1781.
The composer poured all the exuberance of his 25 years into the work, magnifying the orchestra and chorus by drawing inspiration from the model of French lyric tragedy. The result is music alternately tender and grandiose, studded with dazzlingly beautiful arias.
After Œdipe in 2021 and Pelléas et Mélisande in 2025, Wajdi Mouawad returns to the Paris Opera to stage Idomeneo.
Duration : 3h15 with 1 interval
Language : Italian
Surtitle : French / English
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Opening
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First part 95 min
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Intermission 30 min
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Second part 70 min
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End
Artists
Dramma per musica in three acts (1791)
Creative team
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Music (1756‑1791) -
Abbé Giambattista Varesco Libretto after Antoine Danchet -
Antonello Manacorda Conductor -
Wajdi Mouawad Director -
Emmanuel Clolus Set design -
Emmanuelle Thomas Costume design -
Cécile Kretschmar Wigs, make-up -
Éric Champoux Lighting design -
Daphné Mauger Choreographer -
Charlotte Farcet Dramaturgy -
Alessandro Di Stefano Chorus master
Cast
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Allan Clayton Idomeneo -
Lea Desandre Idamante -
Johanna Wallroth Ilia -
Elsa Dreisig Elettra -
Laurence Kilsby Arbace -
Bergsvein Toverud Gran Sacerdote di Nettuno -
Morgan-Andrew King La Voce
The Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Media
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Les Grands Entretiens - Idomeneo
Watch the video
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5 questions about Mozart
Discover
Access and services
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Calculate my routeCar park
Parking Indigo Opéra Bastille 1 avenue Daumesnil 75012 Paris
Book your spot at a reduced price
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Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82
Online
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Calculate my routeCar park
Parking Indigo Opéra Bastille 1 avenue Daumesnil 75012 Paris
Book your spot at a reduced price
-
Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82
Online
Partners
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Grand Patron of the Season
