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Handel: Semele

The English Concert

,Barbican Hall
The English Concert 2015 group

There’s loving someone who’s out of your league – and then there’s the princess Semele, who’s got her eye on the King of the Gods himself. It can’t end well…

‘Endless pleasure, endless love…’ Handel never wrote anything more sensuous than Semele, and he tells the story of the titular princess in music of quite irresistible theatricality and colour.

It’s a deliciously transgressive evening of music theatre – and Handel’s contemporaries couldn’t work out whether it was an opera or an oratorio. The concert hall is its natural habitat, and vocalists of the quality of Brenda Rae, Elizabeth De Shong and Ailish Tynan are exactly what it demands. The English Concert’s spirited Handel performances have never failed to light up the Barbican: and this might be their most delicious treat yet.

Tagged with: Classical music Drama of the Baroque Barbican Presents 2018-19

The performance is expected to finish around 10pm, including two 20 minute intervals.

Programme

  • Handel   Semele

Performers

  • The English Concert  
  • Harry Bicket   director
  • Brenda Rae   Semele
  • Elizabeth DeShong   Juno/Ino
  • Soloman Howard   Somnus/Cadmus
  • Benjamin Hulett   Jupiter
  • Ailish Tynan   Iris
  • Christopher Lowrey   Athamas
  • Brian Giebler   Apollo
  • Joseph Beutel   Priest
  • The Clarion Choir  
  • Steven Fox   Clarion Choir artistic director

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Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.