Antigona (Traetta)

Antigona received its premiere at the Imperial Theatre,[clarification needed] Saint Petersburg on 11 November 1772.

Oedipus has been expelled from Thebes, the city where he was king, after it was revealed he had killed his father and married his mother.

Creon, Oedipus' brother-in-law, declares that the vacant throne of Thebes will now be shared by the two sons, Eteocles and Polynices, ruling alternately, but the two have quarrelled.

Adrastus now offers the crown to Creon, who declares that Eteocles shall be buried with full honours.

Ismene hopes that Creon's son Haemon (who is in love with Antigone) will be able to persuade his father to show mercy to the dead Polynices.

He shows the dagger he has brought which will enable them both to have a quick death and avoid slow starvation.