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Insights: Semele

12 June 2025, 7.45pm

Insights: Semele

12 June 2025, 7.45pm

Insights: Semele

12 June 2025, 7.45pm

Clore Studio

Opera and music

Join cast and creatives as they discuss the complex themes of Oliver Mears' new production of Handel’s Semele.

More Info

Three women in elegant, vintage-style dresses are on a green satin-covered bed. Pretty Yende plays Semele in Oliver Mears’ production of Semele and sits in the foreground, wearing a pink dress with small black flowers printed on it. She has dark curly hair and a jewelled hairpiece. She clutches her chest with one hand, singing with a pained expression. Behind her, a blonde woman in a lavender dress looks at her with concern, while another woman with curled blonde hair, dressed in black, leans forward anxiously. The dimly lit setting features dark industrial elements, adding to the dramatic atmosphere.

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About
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As Semele opens on the Main Stage, this special Insight event explores the inspirations behind the new production.

Running time

This event will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, without an interval

Guidance

Suitable for all

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In Partnership with

Principal Partner, The Royal Opera

Generously supported by

The Paul Hamlyn Education Fund

Insights

Find out more about talks, events and rehearsals with Insights

Background

Cast and creatives unpack Oliver Mears' darkly satirical production of Semele, discussing the opera's themes of power, privilege and degradation. First performed in 1744, Semele marks the latest instalment in The Royal Opera's series of Handel's Covent Garden works.

This Insights event will be filmed and streamed live on the Royal Ballet and Opera YouTube channel.

Accessibility

Contact the Box Office to book step-free seating options or two wheelchair spaces available in Row A.

Join our Access Scheme for priority access performance tickets and to personalise your account for your access requirements.

See our Accessibility page for more information on access at the Royal Opera House.

A busy crowd is seated prior to a performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House in the auditorium.

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The Royal Ballet and Opera is a charity and relies on your support. No matter the size, every gift is critical to our work and helps us to secure the future of ballet and opera.

Your donation will enable us to keep extraordinary work on our stages, inspire the next generation and support the Royal Ballet and Opera's community of artists, technicians and craftspeople.

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Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)