Semele

Synopsis

ACT I

Semele is a servant in the household of Jupiter and his wife Juno. Jupiter becomes erotically interested in Semele. In response, Juno determines that Semele will instead marry her colleague Athamas (who is in love with Semele). At the wedding of Semele and Athamas, Semele’s father, Cadmus, asks Juno to bless his daughter’s marriage to Athamas. In despair, Semele, who is now in love with Jupiter, calls on him to intervene (‘Oh Jove, in pity’). Semele’s sister, Ino, speaks of her own anxiety but not its source – her own secret love for Athamas. A storm causes the household to panic and in the confusion, Jupiter abducts Semele. Ino is left alone with Athamas. Ino confesses her love for him, but his response is one of guilt: he cannot return her feelings.Cadmus brings the news that Jupiter has abducted his daughter, Semele. Installed by Jupiter as his lover, she reassures her friends and rejoices at her change in fortune – and the delights that follow (‘Endless pleasure, endless love’.)

ACT II

Iris, Juno’s assistant, informs Juno of the latest developments between Semele and Jupiter. Juno vows vengeance, and plots an alliance with Somnus, bringer of sleep.In Jupiter’s penthouse, the slumbering Semele stirs from a passionate dream, longing for her lover. Jupiter soon arrives and the happy lovers are reunited. Semele confides in Jupiter that when she is alone, she feels sorrowful and uncomfortably aware of her lowly status in her new home. Eager to sooth her mind, Jupiter first commits to providing her with amusements to distract her (‘Where’er you walk’), and sends for Semele’s sister, Ino, as her companion. They then revel in the beauty and novelty of their surroundings (‘Prepare then, ye immortal choir’).

INTERVALACT III

Juno and Iris wake the reluctant Somnus from his slumber (‘Leave me, loathsome light’), by baiting him with the promise of a long-desired woman, Pasithea. In exchange, Somnus agrees to conjure an erotic dream of Semele for her husband, so that when he awakens, he will be so enflamed with lust that he agrees to whatever she asks of him. Somnus also agrees to help disguise Juno as Ino, Semele’s sister.Disguised as Ino, Juno visits Semele and persuades her that she resembles a divine beauty (‘Myself I shall adore’). She encourages Semele to ask Jupiter to appear as his real self, so that she can also attain ‘immortality’.

Jupiter returns to the pregnant Semele, disturbed by a dream where she vanished from him (‘Come to my arms, my lovely fair’). When she demands that he appear to her in all his power, he refuses at first, but then agrees to grant her fatal wish. Juno revels in her revenge (‘Above pleasure’). Jupiter appears to Semele, and she is destroyed (‘Ah me, too late I now repent’). With the blessing of Jupiter and Cadmus, Ino and Athamas marry. Meanwhile, before her death Semele has produced Jupiter’s son: Bacchus.