"Where'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade. Trees where you sit shall crowd into a shade" (Jupiter to Semele, Act II)
In April 2022, Concordia Ensemble will inaugurate their yearly Lenten oratorio performance. For our first oratorio in the Lenten period, we have selected the wonderfully beautiful Semele, composed by G.F. Handel. When this work first premiered, on 10th February 1744, it caused much debate as it was presented as an oratorio based on a mythological, rather than a Christian subject. Typically, during the Lenten period in England at the time, opera was not performed and was replaced by the concert style of oratorio out of respect for the Christian observation. These oratorios would depict Christian stories from the Bible, such as those of Saul, Theodora and Esther, which Handel also composed for.
Semele stood out of the crowd as an oratorio written on a pagan theme for Lent. Non-Christian stories were usually reserved for the drama and frivolity of the opera, and most people understood Semele to be a thinly veiled work of opera, and thus a scandal was born.
Since then, Semele has cemented itself as a standard of Handel's English repertoire. While not as famous as his Messiah, Semele is regularly staged as an opera.
This performance will be staged with piano accompaniment in the worship centre of St Stephen's Uniting Church, Sydney. The work will be abridged to just under two hours.
Semele stood out of the crowd as an oratorio written on a pagan theme for Lent. Non-Christian stories were usually reserved for the drama and frivolity of the opera, and most people understood Semele to be a thinly veiled work of opera, and thus a scandal was born.
Since then, Semele has cemented itself as a standard of Handel's English repertoire. While not as famous as his Messiah, Semele is regularly staged as an opera.
This performance will be staged with piano accompaniment in the worship centre of St Stephen's Uniting Church, Sydney. The work will be abridged to just under two hours.
Dates and LocationFriday 8th April 2022 at 7.30pm
Saturday 9th April 2022 at 7.30pm St Stephen's Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie St, Sydney St Stephen's is situated next to Martin Place station for easy access to public transport. Circular Quay, Wynyard and Town Hall are also within 15 minutes walking distance. Parking is not available on the premises of St Stephen's, however, there are several paid garages nearby. This venue is wheelchair accessible via Phillip St. Please contact productions@concordiaensemble.org if you would like to arrange access via Phillip St. |
Cast and MusiciansSemele | Lana Kains
Iris | Molly Ryan (8th), Amelia Bland (9th) Ino | Cassandra Doyle Juno | Ella Orehek-Coddington Athamas | Wesley Yu (8th), John L'Estrange (9th) Jupiter | Alexander Caldwell Apollo | John L'Estrange (8th), Wesley Yu (9th) Cadmus | Yuan Gao Somnus | Tobias Page Chorus | Molly Ryan, Amelia Bland, Grace Pfab, Cassandra Doyle, John L'Estrange, Wesley Yu, Yuan Gao, Tobias Page |