He’s a king: Idomeneo, the king of Crete, is returning from the Trojan War. To gain a safe return to shore during a violent storm at sea, Idomeneo vows to sacrifice to Neptune the first person he sees on land. Unfortunately, it’s his son, Idamante, so Idomeneo flees instead of greeting him. Idamante, meanwhile, is in love with Ilia, the captured daughter of the king of Troy. Neptune, cheated out of his sacrifice, sends a sea monster to ravage Crete. Idamante slays the monster and presents himself for sacrifice, but Ilia comes between them declaring her love for Idamante. Will the gods be appeased? A divine voice declares that Idamante and Ilia shall reign as the new king and queen of Crete. Mozart was just 25 years old when his mythological music drama premiered in Munich on January 29, 1781. Idomeneo is considered to be Mozart’s first dramatic masterpiece, and was his personal favorite of all his operas.