Semiramide

A modern new staging of Rossini's Greek-esque tragedy

A brand-new production of Rossini's tragic political story comes to the Royal Opera House this November, directed by operatic director genius, David Alden. Starring Joyce DiDonato, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, Daniela Barcellona and Lawrence Brownlee, this was Rossini's last opera before moving to Paris; the end of his "Italian era", as it were. Political, hard-hitting and bloody, this Greek tragedy-inspired work has been reworked by Alden to take place in a 20th century setting.

The ruthless queen Semiramide has ruled for many decades, after plotting with her lover Assur to murder King Nino, her husband, in echos of Clytemnestra. Aging, she is now planning to choose her successor. Assuming that he will get the crown next, Assur receives a huge shock when Semiramide leaves it to a young officer, whom she loves, called Arsace. However, there is a drastic problem on the horizon; Arsace is in fact her long-lost son, whom she bore with Nino, and long-thought dead. Only the high priest Oroe knows Arsace's true identity, and must protect him from both Assur's wrath and Semiramide's misplaced affections.