The composer wrote the libretto for his opera “Antigone” himself. In it, he not only refers to Sophocles’ “Antigone”, but also to other classical material such as “Oedipus At Colonus” by the same tragedian, Aeschylus’ “Seven Against Thebes” and “The Phonician Women” by Eurpipides.

Short summary:
In a pantomimic prologue, Oedipus’ son Eteocles seizes the throne and the royal insignia while his brother Polynices is out of the country.

In the first scene, Oedipus leaves the city with his daughter Antigone, though not without criticizing the Thebans’ policy of self-betraying submission. In the second scene, Eteocles appears, in preparation for battle against his brother who has besieged Thebes. Jocasta, mother of both, desperately attempts to pacify the brothers and allay her worst fears. Her efforts fail, the brothers kill each other, and Jocasta commits suicide. In the next scene, Creon accedes to the throne whilst Antigone mourns deeply. Creon orders a state funeral for Eteocles. Polynices, however, is to be left unburied, exposed to animals and decomposition. Whosoever ignores this order risks the death penalty. When Antigone breaks the law and attempts to bury her brother, she is arrested and condemned according to Creon’s inhumane orders. Haemon, who is Creon’s son and engaged to Antigone, tries in vain to change his father’s mind. In the final scene, the couple sing to love “invincible in battle”, united in death.

First Act (CD 1):
Oedipus: "May you be pure man."
Oedipus: "I who solved the famous riddle..."
Oedipus: "O scheming gods,..."
Coryphaeus: "O Great King..."
Choir: "Their army is let loose!"
Eteocles: "Your shouts do not help."
Polynices: "The guards swiftly drew..."
Jocasta: "Oh, my son, my dearest child..."
Choir: "And see, Etocles comes here."
Choir: "Oh Athena, daughter of Zeus."

(CD 2): Coryphaeus: "Your sister's sons are no longer alive..."
Choir: "On their dark path to Hades."
Antigone: "With my hair exposed..."
Creon: "Cease now your lamentations;..."
Antigone: "Oh, no! For I will not let go..."

Second Act:
Creon: "How dared you dsobey the Law?"
Antigone: "Die I must, I knew that well."
Creon: "Yet I would have you know..."
Creon: "My son, have you come in rage..."
Chorus: "Love, invincible in battle"
Aemon: "O dearest one! I arrived in Hades..."
Antigone: "Love, invincible in battle,..."
Aemon: "Alone, withour friends..."
Antigone: "My Sun and beloved light,..."