A scene from Semiramide Photo: Ken Howard/MetropolitanOpera
Sunday 15 April at 6.00pm on RNZ Concert
Metropolitan Opera 2018 Season
ROSSINI: Semiramide
A tragedy set in ancient Babylon with a plot involving power struggles and dark romantic intrigue. Rossini provides astonishing vocal writing for the principals and chorus.
Queen Semiramide...... Angela Meade
Arsace.......................... Elizabeth DeShong
Idreno.......................... Javier Camarena
Assur........................... Ildar Abdrazakov
Oroe............................. Ryan Speedo Green
Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Maurizio Benini (EBU)
Semiramide is the culmination of the Italian phase of Rossini’s monumental yet unusual career. He had already produced such immortal comedies as Il Barbiere di Siviglia and L’Italiana in Algeri, but in the early 19th century he was celebrated above all else for his tragedies—none more so than Semiramide.
For decades after its première, the opera swept through the music capitals of Europe and beyond, enthralling audiences with its urgent, transcendentally beautiful use of melody; undeniably exhilarating drama; and, most importantly, astonishing vocal displays.
A scene from Semiramide Photo: Ken Howard/MetropolitanOpera
Semiramide is set in ancient Babylon, now modern-day Iraq, a kingdom which flourished between the 18th and sixth centuries BC. While the opera does include a handful of local details for colour, including the legendary Hanging Gardens, Rossini and his librettist Rossi were more concerned with establishing a feeling of legend and wonder than presenting any true historical accuracy.
A scene from Semiramide Photo: Ken Howard/MetropolitanOpera
