Imeneo Synopsis

Act 1

Tirinto has gone to the shrine of Ceres (the goddess of earthly abundance) to mourn the loss of his beloved Rosmene and to ask the spirits to help him find her. Argenio, an elder, joins him to mourn for his own captured daughter, Clomiri. Tirinto rails against the goddess for allowing the maidens to be abducted by pirates while in their rituals of worship. News arrives that the young hero Imeneo has returned, but Tirinto determines he will go in search for Rosmene himself. He is stopped by Imemeo’s announcement that he has dramatically rescued the Athenian maidens, including Rosmene and Clomiri, by disguising himself in women’s clothing, being abducted with the women and then slaying the pirates as they slept. Riding the moment of triumph Imeneo asks only for the hand of Rosmene as his reward. Argenio promises to plead his case to the senate. Tirinto and Rosmeme’s joy at being united and Clomiri’s own rejoicing at her safe return is darkened by this pledge, for Clomiri has secret feelings for Imeneo that she is too shy to publicise. Argenio warns Tirinto against jealousy. Rosmene responds by telling Imeneo that although she is grateful to him for saving her, her heart belongs to Tirinto. Imeneo asks Tirinto to give her up but he refuses to yield to his request. Clomiri, hoping that Rosmene will reject Imeneo, takes the opportunity to thank her rescuer and pretends to speak for another woman who loves him. Imeneo is bold in his belief that the senate will reward his bravery and dismisses her. 

-INTERVAL 20 MINUTES-

Act 2 

Rosmene is distraught with the choice before her and calls on the gods to help her. Argenio returns and advises that it is the senate’s will that she marry Imeneo. She says that she does not want to be guilty of unfaithfulness in breaking her engagement to Tirinto. Argenio warns that ingratitude and disobedience are worse sins and recounts the tale of Androcles and the lion in favour of gratitude. (Rosmene tries to warn her less experienced confidante Clomiri of the perils of love). Clomiri confides Rosmene’s distress to Tirinto rousing his jealousy. Joyously Imeneo tells Clomiri how much he owes to her father Argenio for the senate’s approval of his marriage to Rosmene. Clomiri promises to tell her “friend” who she knows will be happy because all she desires his contentment. Imeneo reflects on the contrary aspects of love. Argenio tells the two suitors that the senate supports Imeneo’s claim but the final choice is hers. The men each plead their case but Rosmene is still uncertain-should she be unfaithful or ungrateful? The deadlock still prevails.

Act 3

Tirinto and Imeneo insist that the time has come for Rosmene to make her decision. Her heart, she says, will make the cruel choice for her. Left alone, the two suitors decide they would rather die than lose Rosmene. Clomiri admits her love for Imeneo but comforts him saying that if Rosmene’s choice falls on him she will be happy, but that if the fates are not so kind to him with Rosmene perhaps he can find happiness with her.  

At desperation point, Rosmene realises that she cannot delay any further on her own account so decides to feign madness so that in the distraction she can hear wisdom’s solution. All react to her “madness” in turn until when all are together Rosmene announces she has come to a decision. Still “mad” she goes into a trance and calls on the judge of the underworld, Radamanto, to rise. She faints, hoping her victorious suitor will catch her. However, as she wakes she finds herself in the arms of both men. She finally makes her choice and dismisses the myth of her madness asking that the spurned lover find some consolation in the peace that her decision brings to her heart. Everyone joins to confirm the morals drawn from the choice.