Semele
Classification added June 21, 2016Premiered February 10, 1744 (Oratorio). First stage performance (prepared by Dennis Arundell) 1925. First USA performance, 1959
London. Covent Garden (1744). Cambridge (1925). Evanston. Northwestern University (1959)
Composer:
George Frideric Handel
Original Language:
English
Librettist:
William Congreve
Description:
Opera in III Acts
Notes:
Based on Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”; text originally written as an
opera-book and later altered into an Oratorio.
Time Period:
Mythological times
Place:
The Temple of Juno at Thebes
Classification key
- L – Leading
- F – Featured
- S – Supporting
- B – Solo Bit
- CB – Chorus Bit
- MB – Mute Bit
| Role | Voice Part | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Semele | Soprano | L |
| Jupiter | Tenor | L |
| Juno | Contralto | L |
| Ino | Contralto | F |
| Athamas | Male Alto | F |
| Somnus | Bass | F |
| Cadmus | Bass | S |
| Iris | Soprano | S |
| Apollo | Tenor | B |
| Chief Priest of Juno | Bass | B |
| Juno/Ino | Contralto | L |
Minimum Chorus: 20
Divisi: SATB