Semele is a musical drama performed "in the manner of an oratorio" by George Frederic Handel. Although nowadays it's invariably performed as an opera, it debuted as an oratorio in London's Covent Garden Theatre on 10 February 1744.
Based on a 1705-6 libretto by William Congreve (previously set to music by John Eccles as an Opera in 1706), but expanded on by an unknown author, it tells the story of Semele, daughter of Cadmus, King of Thebes, and her affair with Jupiter and the vengeance she suffered at the hands of his wife Juno.
The story begins with Semele about to be wed to the Thracian prince Athamas, however she's already in love with Jupiter and begs him for a sign to break off the engagement. Semele's sister Ino, who is in love with Athamas, is left to suffer in silence. Jupiter obliges, but his efforts are frustrated by Juno sending her own signs blessing the marriage. Eventually, he sends a lighting bolt to scare off the wedding party, and spirits Semele off to a hidden palace on nearby Mount Cithaeron in the confusion.
Juno however is not deterred, and commands her servant Iris to find Semele's hideaway. She also enlists the aid of Somnus, the God of Sleep, to fill Zeus's head with lustful dreams of Semele so that he'll be unable to deny her anything.
Meanwhile Semele, despite having everything her heart could possible desire as the mistress of the King of the Gods, wants more. Jupiter tries to distract her with gifts and entertainments so that she never has to ask, because he knows she would ask for immortality, which is a step too far even for him. He even brings her sister Ino to the palace so that she has someone to talk to.
Unfortunately, who should Juno disguise herself as but Ino, and inflames Semele's desires for immortality with an enchanted mirror that shows her life as a goddess. She also convinces Semele that she can become immortal by demanding to see Jupiter in his true form. Playing hard to get to get Jupiter to swear by the river Styx to grant whatever she wants, asks exactly that.
Knowing he had been tricked but unable to do anything about it, Jupiter resignedly complies, and Semele tragically and predictably dies, to the absolute glee of Juno. The Thebans then mourn Semele, while at the same time marrying Ino to Athamas. Apollo then comes to prophesy the birth of a god "more mighty than love" from Semele's ashes, and the chorus then celebrates the future coming of her son, Bacchus.
Tropes present in this work:
- Adaptation Expansion: When Händel decided to write an oratorio based on Congreve's Semele libretto, an unknown poet added substantially to the text, borrowing from a number of authors.
- Even the original libretto adds far more to the story than previous traditions, such as the almost marriage of Semele to Athamas, and Jupiter whisking Semele to a hidden palace on Mount Cithaeron.
- Brainless Beauty: The title character is sometimes seen as this, but she becomes heart-breakingly self-aware in the moments before her death.
- Every Man Has His Price: Juno tries to get Somnus, the god of sleep, to help her kill the title character. He refuses, and asks to be left in peace... but when she offers him the hand of a beautiful nymph, he's suddenly wide awake and eager to help.
- Fertile Feet: In "Where'er You Walk," Jupiter promises Semele a garden, "Where'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise/And all things flourish where'er you turn your eyes."
- Genre-Busting: Whether or not Semele is an opera or an oratorio has been the subject of much debate ever since its premiere. Oratorios were usually performed during Lent, when audiences would not have expected a secular story from Classical Mythology about an adulterous relationship.
- I Need to Go Iron My Dog: Despite the protests from Athamas and Cadmus, Semele has been giving every excuse she can think of to delay the wedding.
- It's All About Me: Athamas comes across like this, particularly when he sees Ino crying and thinks she's upset because things aren't going his way. She's actually secretly in love with him, and calls him out on his self-absorption.
- Love Dodecahedron: Ino is in love with Athamas who is betrothed to her sister Semele who is Jupiter's mistress earning the ire of his wife Juno.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Jupiter after giving in to Semele's demand he reveal himself in his full glory to her. Having sworn on the River Styx to do as she asks, he has no choice but to reluctantly comply. Even when he tries to do it on his lowest setting, so to speak, he knows Semele is doomed.
- Our Dragons Are Different: Iris describes the dragons that guard Semele's palace as having "forky stings," "brazen wings," and "a thousand fiery eyes."
- Pair the Spares: While the Thebans are mourning the death of Semele, Ino finally confesses her love of Athamas and the two are promptly married.
- "Ray of Hope" Ending: Semele ends with the title character dead and her rival feeling triumphant, but the last chorus "Happy, Happy Shall We Be" heralds the coming of her son Bacchus, a god who will "crown the joys of love."
- Serenade Your Lover: Semele's arguably most famous aria, "Where'er You Walk," Jupiter promises Semele to create a paradise on earth in her hideaway palace, where "cool gales shall fan the glade," and "trees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade."
- Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace: While the phrase is never said, Jupiter makes what is probably the most dramatic form of this trope by striking the Temple with lightning and a chorus of his priests singing the following:Cease, cease your vows, 'tis impious to proceed,
Begone, and fly this holy place with speed!
This dreadful conflict is of dire presage,
Begone, and fly from Jove's impending rage! - Villain Song: Juno has two, 'Iris, Hence Away' plotting Semele's downfall by enlisting the aid of Somnus, and 'Above Measure' gloating when it works.
- Woman Scorned: Juno arranges for her husband's mistress (the title character) to be burned to death.
