Glyndebourne Festival. G.F. Handel's oratorio "Semele".

The Glyndebourne Festival presents George Frideric Handel’s most sensual and scandalous oratorio, *Semele*, in an unconventional production by Adele Thomas. Instead of the usual biblical figures, the stage is populated by lustful Roman gods and their mortal playthings. This is no sacred drama, but a provocative secular tale of seduction, adultery, and revenge.

Cadmus, Semele’s father, seeks the goddess Juno’s blessing for his daughter’s marriage to Athamas. In despair, Semele begs her father to postpone the wedding. Alone, she implores her lover Jupiter—king of the gods and Juno’s husband—to intervene. Thunder rolls, and the sacred fire on Juno’s altar is suddenly extinguished. The crowd scatters, leaving Semele’s sister, Ino, alone with Athamas. But when Ino attempts to comfort the grieving Athamas by confessing her own secret love for him, he is left bewildered.

Cadmus returns with news that Jupiter, in the guise of a giant eagle, has abducted Semele. Her voice drifts in from afar, proclaiming the sudden change in her destiny.

In a remote setting, Juno meets Iris, the messenger god, eagerly awaiting news of a potential new rival. Her suspicions are confirmed when Iris reveals that Jupiter has installed his new lover, Semele, in a palace atop a mountain. Iris warns that exacting revenge will be difficult, as the palace is guarded by dragons that never sleep. Undeterred, Juno begins to hatch a plan. Who better to help her than Somnus, the god of sleep? They set out to seek his aid.

Semele awakens from a passionate dream to find herself alone in her new palace. Jupiter enters; he summons Ino and transforms the palace into a paradise where they can revel in each other's company.

Juno bursts into Somnus’s cave, interrupting his deep slumber, and demands his help. He agrees, promising to lull the dragons to sleep and transform Juno herself into Ino—Semele’s sister. Juno joins Semele in the palace. Flattering Semele and extolling her beauty, Juno persuades her to ask Jupiter to appear in his full divine majesty, promising the trusting young woman that doing so will make her a goddess.

Consumed by passion, Jupiter returns to Semele. But when she—incited by Juno—rebuffs him, he immediately swears an oath to grant her any wish. Once she names her desire, it is too late to turn back. He appears before her in all his fiery, thunderous majesty, and Semele is instantly consumed by flames.

Ino returns to Thebes with news of Semele’s death. Athamas comforts her; her kindness has unexpectedly awakened a reciprocal feeling in him. Jupiter appears and announces that Semele’s unborn child has been saved and will become a god—Bacchus, born to bring joy to the earth. Semele is quickly forgotten, and all join in a hymn of praise.

CAST:

Cadmus, Somnus – Clive Bayley,

Athamas – Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen,

Semele – Joélle Harvey,

Ino – Stephanie Wake-Edwards,

Iris – Samuel Mariño,

Jupiter – Jennifer Johnston.

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment,

Conductor – Václav Luks;

Glyndebourne Festival Chorus.

Glyndebourne Estate near Lewes (East Sussex), 2023