afterWARds uses the words and music of Mozart's IDOMENEO—perhaps his most radical, modern opera – in a reorganized and distilled 80-minute format that shifts the opera's focus towards its four protagonists and their timeless struggles for love and peace in a world full of carnage and destruction.

afterWARds is set on the island of Crete immediately after the Trojan War. Idomeneo is the King of Crete. Idamante is his son. Ilia is the Princess of Troy and enemy of Crete, who Idamante rescues from a shipwreck. King Idomeneo promises to kill the “traitor” who rescued Ilia, not realizing it was his son. Meanwhile, Ilia and Idamante begin to fall in love with each other, which infuriates Elettra, the Princess of Argos, who loves Idamante as well.

These four star-crossed characters are caught in a whirlwind of love, betrayal, loyalty, and family as they seek to rebuild their lives.

afterWARds will star Pittsburgh Opera’s award-winning Resident Artists, allowing audiences the rare opportunity to see tomorrow’s opera stars in an intimate performance space.