SYNOPSIS

The opera is the sequel to the well known story of Sophocles’ Antigone. Antigone doesn’t end her life, instead flees into a forest nearby.  She is already married at the time, expecting the child of Euristeo, son of the tyrant Kreon. Whilst Antigone is on the run the child disappears, and is at first adopted by a shepherd, but later - brought up by Kreon’s sister, who tries to keep the child’s origin a secret.

Trying to fulfill a prophecy – and believing his daughter-in-law to be dead – oppressor Kreon decides to marry off his son once again, and singles out Ermione (Antigone’s daughter) as the bride-to-be. He asks Apollo’s priestesses to send one of their numbers to be present at the wedding. Their chosen representative is no other than Antigone, who joined their order previously. Antigone considers her call to be God’s mission that allows her to take her revenge on the Theban tyrant.  That is when all learn that Euristeo’s second wife is indeed his very own daughter.