Handel’s Semele Gets a Provocative Makeover at the Royal Opera House

Handel’s Semele is back at Covent Garden this summer, but not quite as you remember it. From 30th June, the Royal Opera House stages a modern reimagining of the 1744 oratorio, blending satire, sensuality and a provocative commentary on power. The opera, known for its baroque exuberance and wit, is now recast under Oliver Mears with a distinctly contemporary lens.

This version of Semele plays fast and loose with its mythological roots. The production swaps classical elegance for visual shock, positioning Jupiter not as a lover-god but a sinister manipulator, while Semele emerges as both victim and subversive force. It’s the third in a series of Handel reinterpretations under Mears’ tenure, following Theodora and Jephtha, both of which sparked strong reactions.

Audiences familiar with William Congreve’s libretto may be surprised by the tone. Handel’s Semele was originally penned as a pointed critique of ambition and vanity, filled with humour and touching pathos. Here, much of that nuance gives way to a darker reading. Juno’s triumphant scheming is undercut, and the final scenes, including Semele’s fiery demise and the birth of Bacchus, are rendered with graphic realism.

It’s certainly not a traditional night at the opera, and the mixed response in Paris earlier this year, where the production first premiered, suggests it may divide opinion in London too. Yet, whether admired or contested, this Semele promises to stir conversation. For those who enjoy their baroque with a modern edge, it’s a chance to see how Handel’s music can still challenge 21st-century sensibilities.

Tickets and further details are available directly from the Royal Opera House website, with performances running throughout July.

For more of EyeOnLondon’s take on the arts and our growing catalogue of cultural reviews, see our Arts & Culture section.

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