Trying desperately to return home alive from the Trojan War, King Idomeneo makes a terrible promise to the sea god from the deck of his storm-ravaged ship.  The consequence of his promise is worse than he could imagine, and only after many twists does he achingly find his way to peace.  The emotional depth of the characters of Idomeneo gives Mozart ample opportunity to demonstrate his compositional powers in this, his first fully mature and unquestionably successful opera. Hosted by Pat, with guest co-host Gerald Malone Gerald Malone is the Opera Critic of the UK online current affairs and cultural publication, ReactionLife.