Semele (1744) – Vocal Score

Description

Semele was composed in 1743 in the course of four weeks. The first performance took place Feb 10, 1744. The designation “Story of Semele” was chosen because it was not considered suitable to call it an Oratorio on account of its secular subject, nor an Opera on account of its treatment in the manner of an Oratorio, Semele was, however, written by Congree as an Opera (1707), but was found to be unsuitable for the stage on accunt of the undramatic conclusion and lay unused until Handel worked up the poem as an Oratorio with some alterations.