Semele (HWV 58) is a 'musical drama', originally presented "after the manner of an oratorio ", [1] in three parts by George Frideric Handel. Based on an existing opera libretto by William Congreve, the work is an opera in all but name but was first presented in concert form at Covent Garden theatre on 10 February 1744.

From the Opernhaus Zürich: G. F. Händel's Semele starring Cecilia Bartoli, with Charles Workman, Birgit Remmert, Lilia...more.

Oct 20, 1999 · An apartment in the palace of Semele. She is sleeping, Loves and Zephyrs waiting. [Air Cupid Come, Zephyrs, come, while Cupid sings, Fan her with your silky wings! New desire I'll inspire, And revive the dying flames. Dance around her While I wound her, And with pleasure Fill her dreams. Come, Zephyrs, come. . . da capo] Semele awakes and rises ...

Semele sees Jupiter approach as a fiery cloud of lightning and thunder, laments her folly, and is consumed by flames. Ino, safely returned to earth, announces the tragic news that Semele has perished.

Digital resources for Handel's Semele include program notes, ornamentation, and an orchestration chart. Early in 1744, Handel announced the premiere of Semele, a new work "after the manner of an oratorio."

After his return from Dublin and the premiere of “Samson,” HWV 57, which took place in February 1743, Handel began working on the June 3, 1743, with the composition of “Semele,” which he performed on the July 4 of the same year.

Semele awakes from a passionate dream to find herself alone in her new palace. Jove enters, in the form of a man, and attempts to reassure her insecurity (he assures her that he is faithful) and distract her from her growing discontent that he has not yet made her immortal.

Semele is the fullest expression of the oratorio form which is a feature of Handel’s last compositions. In the early 1740s, Italian opera in London fell out of fashion just as Handel was embarking on his final works. He composed Saul, L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, The Messiah, and Samson.

The libretto of the opera Semele by the composer George Frideric Handel in English.

Handel Semele synopsis Act I Cadmus, King of Thebes, and his family have traveled to the Temple of Juno in Bœotia to solemnise the marriage of his daughter Semele to Prince Athamus.