Bowling Green Opera Theater and the Bowling Green State University Department of Theatre and Film will
present Handel’s “Semele” April 5 and 7.
“Semele,” a masterpiece of Handel’s mature period, is considered something of an anomaly in his career:
It is an English-language work with a secular text, written at a time when Handel was concentrating on
the composition of sacred oratorios. Though never staged in Handel’s lifetime, the dramatic story, based
on Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” telling of the ill-fated love of Semele and Jupiter, lends itself to an
operatic treatment. The vocal writing is virtuosic, tuneful and thrilling, and the choral movements are
some of Handel’s most beautiful and most exciting. This combination of stirring music and compelling
drama makes for a great night in the theater.
“Semele” will be directed by Danielle Wright from Detroit’s Opera MODO and presented at 8 p.m. April 5
and at 3 p.m. April 7 in the Thomas B. and Kathleen M. Donnell Theatre of The Wolfe Center for the Arts.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for non-BGSU students/children in advance. All tickets are $20 the day
of the performance. BGSU students are free with ID. Tickets are available online at bgsu.edu/arts or by
calling 419-372-8171.
This production includes sexual content that may not be suitable for all ages.