On Thursday 2 May 2019, the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, led by John Eliot Gardiner, brought a new production of Semele to “London’s oldest new theatre” at Alexandra Palace. This concert-staging of “Handel’s sexiest opera”, directed by Thomas Guthrie, was the only London date on a prestigious European tour. Featuring a young, glamorous cast of international soloists, the performance provided London audiences with a fuller version of the work, notably with some passages by Handel very rarely heard in modern performances.

Cast

John Eliot Gardiner

Conductor

Louise Alder

Semele

Hugo Hymas

Jupiter

Lucile Richardot

Juno

Carlo Vistoli

Athamus

Gianluca Buratto

Cadmus/Somnus