Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Compose Date

:

1743

Average_duration

:

156:54

Movement_count

:

93

Movement ....

Semele, HWV 58, is an opera in three acts composed by George Frederick Handel. It was first performed on February 10, 1744, at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, London. The libretto was written by William Congreve, based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. The opera tells the story of Semele, a mortal woman who is loved by Jupiter, the king of the gods. Semele is seduced by Jupiter, who promises to make her immortal. However, Juno, Jupiter's wife, is jealous of Semele and plots her downfall. Semele is eventually consumed by Jupiter's lightning bolt, but her unborn child is saved and becomes Bacchus, the god of wine. The opera is divided into three acts, each with several musical numbers. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the plot. The second act features Semele's seduction by Jupiter and Juno's plot against her. The third act culminates in Semele's destruction and the birth of Bacchus. Handel's music for Semele is characterized by its virtuosity and expressiveness. The vocal parts are demanding, with intricate coloratura passages and emotional depth. The orchestration is rich and varied, with a wide range of instruments used to create different moods and textures. One of the most famous pieces from Semele is the aria "Where'er you walk," sung by Jupiter in the second act. This aria is known for its beautiful melody and expressive phrasing, and has become a popular concert piece. Overall, Semele is considered one of Handel's greatest operas, and is admired for its dramatic power and musical beauty. It remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire, and is frequently performed and recorded.

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