Semele, a Dramatick Performance in Score. The Words Altered from Congreve, the Musick Composed in the Year 1743 [HWV 58] - Handel, George Frideric 1685-1759; Congreve, William 1670-1729 (London Arnold, 1788)
Semele is a 'musical drama', originally presented "after the manner of an oratorio" in three parts. Based on a pre-existent opera libretto by William Congreve, written around 1705–6 and originally set to music in John Eccles's opera Semele. Handel's text was adapted by an unknown collaborator. The work is an opera in all but name but was first presented in concert form at Covent Garden theatre on 10 February 1744. The story comes from Ovid's Metamorphoses and concerns Semele, mother of Bacchus.
Keywords: 18th Century (1701-1800); Oratorio; Opera; United Kingdom