One of the songs that I have been working on this year is “Endless Pleasure, Endless Love” from Handel’s opera Semele. It is an English opera, from the Baroque period first performed in Covent Garden in 1743. George Frideric Handel turned to Greek mythology for this opera using a libretto written by William Congreve, who was the author of the famous phrase “Music has charms to soothe the savage beast”
It was first presented as an oratorio (in concert form rather than fully staged). The audience was confused, more used to sacred works by Handel the nature of Semele’s story was too much for them.
The main cast roles are:
Semele – Soprano
Jupiter/Apollo – Tenor
Athamas (Prince of Boeotia) – Contralto
Iris – Soprano
Cadmus/High Priest/Somnus – Bass
Juno/Ino (wife of Jupiter/sister of Semele)– mezzo soprano
Somnus – Bass
Act I
Semele, the daughter of the King of Thebes, is to marry Prince Athamus. Her family have travelled to the Temple of Juno to solemnise the marriage. Semele has been delaying the ceremony because she is secretly in love with Jupiter. She pleads with Jupiter for his help and his thunder interrupts the ceremony extinguishing the sacred flames on the altar of Juno (his wife). The Priests advice everyone to leave but Athamus and Semele’s sister Ino remain. Ino reveals to Athamus that she loves him who is astonished at the revelation. Cadmus interrupts them with the news that Semele has been abducted by a giant eagle, the priests identify this purple winged eagle as Jupiter and Semele is heard to announce that “Endless Pleasure, Endless Love, Semele enjoys above“.
Act II
Juno, is angry at her husband Jupiter’s adultery and orders her messenger Iris to discover where Jupiter and Semele are. Juno reports that they are in a dragon-guarded palace. Juno swears to destroy her rival, she finds Somus the God of sleep to obtain his help. Waking in her bedroom Semele awaits the return of Jupiter, he appears and reassures her of his love. She tells him she is uneasy when she compares her mortality to his godliness, he is alarmed by her ambition. Rather than honestly tell her that she can never attain immortality he decides to divert her. He brings her sister Ino from Earth to her for company they both wonder at the beauty of the heavens.
Act III
Juno and Iris arrive in Somus’ cave, Juno offers him his favourite nymph ‘Pasithea’ if he agrees to help her, he is keen to help and is even prepared to lend her his magic, sleep-inducing wand, which Juno will need to quieten the dragon guard. Juno disguises herself as Semele’s sister Ino she gives her ‘sister’ a magic mirror which causes Semele to fall in love with her own image ‘Myself I shall adore’. Juno then advises Semele how to obtain the immortality she desires. Jupiter must be tricked into making love to her in his true god-like form rather than his mortal form. Jupiter returns inflamed with desire, Semele rejects him ‘I am ever granting, you always complain’ until he swears to give her what she wants’ No, no I’ll take no less’. She asks him to appear in his godly splendour he is horrified and warns her of the danger she is in. She refuses to listen and he laments his part in her inevitable destruction. Juno gloats of her triumph, Semele realises too late the consequences of her request; as she approaches Jupiter his flames burn her and she dies.
As joyful to hear as it is to watch! thank you, Miss. Brava!
Thanks Annette 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautifully sung. I do so enjoy Handel’s music! I am collecting recordings of all his operas at the moment.
Thank you Clare, two of my favourite Handel’s are Come unto Him and How Beautiful Are The Feet.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very nice! What’s the story behind the performance? It’s seems to be some special event with a lot of flowers and professional video.
In July I entered the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, North Wales. The finalists in each section get to perform on the beautiful arena stage, I was delighted to get 3rd prize in the Voice of the Future category the first time I entered it especially with such a tough category, you have to send in audition material and get selected to compete. There was a lovely warm audience and my Nana and Grandad came to watch.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That’s great! Congratulations on placing in the competition.
Gee, Jupiter looks challenging. I can see he must have eaten his vegies. Loved your singing, great voice you are blessed with.
Thank you Gerard. It’s a very attractive picture of Jupiter ☺️ If only you could get that just eating veg. 😀.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I like this blog, interesting things I’d never think of to know before. Bravo!
I’m glad you found it interesting, thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautifully performed! I just noticed that the microphone was placed a bit far away from you. Is that common?
For classical singers it’s best to have the microphone far away as most of the work we do is without a microphone, but they have to record this for tv so the mics are set up for that.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Another lovely song from your C.D. I am looking forward to your next one.
Thanks Gill, I’ll see you next week 😃.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Isn’t it odd that next to nothing is known of Handel’s private life?
Sometimes it’s intentional for public figures to keep their private lives private, it must have been a lot easier in those days without paparazzi and 24 hour media.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re right, but the contrast with Bach is amazing.
Seems to be a endless lose to a end , but not a endless lose of a Voice of Hope 🙂
You should never lose hope, hope springs eternal is an excellent saying,
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great, beautifull writing, pleasure to see and hear you again. Many thanks Charlotte.
Best tought and all the best of the world for you !!
Merci Pascal, thank you for my lovely energy pictures recently they help ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
There is some lovely delicate phrasing in this aria, Charlotte. You are very brave to try and give us a Handel synopsis, they always make me want to giggle (you need to watch out for stray commas – see the beginning of act II – they are my problem too).
Thank you I fixed it 😀. Punctuation, stray commas and apostrophes 😳 one day I’ll master them, I don’t put them in then talk myself into putting one in unnecessarily. Keep an eye on me I’m always glad of the guidance. My copy of Borderline arrived just in time for a Christmas read.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I had no idea that Handel had written opera, no less Greek mythological opera. I wonder what inspired him to turn this particular story into an opera?
A woman he wanted to burn alive perhaps lol 😀. It was a bit of a shocker in its day.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Awesome song.
Thank you very much Eric, it’s great to think about being joyful and happy approaching Christmas.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely singing! Interesting performance of the opera. All the best for the season and blessings for Christmas, Charlotte!
Thank you Iris ☺️ seasons greetings to you too 🎄
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful singing! Thanks for sharing the story too
Thank you, I feel like I’m living in the library between classes ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful photo ~ and the singing is simply heavenly… 🙂
Thank you Randall I always appreciate your lovely photographs.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such a lovely song, Charlotte. Thank you. Please, please, *please* release another album when you have the time!
Thanks Marcus I’d love to when the time permits, thanks again for your review I read a blog post earlier on Janice Spina’s blog http://jemsbooks.wordpress.com about how important reviews are on Amazon and I hadn’t even considered it so cheers for that.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re welcome!
Charlotte Just in case I don’t get back here before Christmas. I am wishing you and your family a happy and joyous holiday. 🙂 xo I know there will be much music in the air
Thank you seasons greetings to you and your family too 😊🎄🎅, I’m always singing and prancing around my Mum says the house goes very quiet when I leave again lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fabulous performance Charlotte. 🙂 You are a star. You have improved so much and I was totally captured by your voice. 😀 Enough of praises, will do some more the next time. 😉
Cool thanks Gaurab I’m glad you’re noticing improvement I’m working really hard.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte. we absolutely love listening to you singing endless pleasure. your performance on the large stage was Brilliant.x
nice one.. love this song. . is it really a Christian song???