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The Real History of Opera: Semele

BBC Radio 4
on BBC Radio 4 FM

2/4. A comedy of sexual politics set among the Olympian gods, Handel's Semele is based on a libretto by William Congreve. It combines some of the most beautiful music Handel ever wrote, with insights into lust, marital infidelity and the gold-digging of Princess Semele, a mortal who has set her sights on seducing the King of the Gods. Huw Edwards finds out how this secular story was received when it was first performed on the first Friday of Lent and discovers some of the targets at which it might have been aimed. (Repeated on Saturday at 3.30pm)

Contributors

Presenter:
Huw Edwards
Producer:
Catherine McGhee
Source: Radio Times

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