Semiramide
by Gioachino Rossini

Rossini's masterpiece of dazzling vocal fireworks featuring an all-star bel canto cast.

Semiramide is set in ancient Babylon, now modern-day Iraq, a kingdom which flourished between the 18th and 6th centuries BCE. While the opera does include a handful of local details for color, including the legendary Hanging Gardens, Rossini and librettist Gaetano Rossi were more concerned with establishing a feeling of legend and wonder than presenting any true historical accuracy.

Decades after its premiere, Semiramide swept through the music capitals of Europe and beyond, enthralling audiences with its urgent, transcendentally beautiful use of melody; undeniably exhilarating drama; and, most importantly, astonishing vocal displays.



Conductor: Maurizio Benini

Cast:

Semiramide: Angela Meade
Arsace: Elizabeth DeShong
Idreno: Javier Camarena
Assur: Ildar Abdrazakov
Oroe: Ryan Speedo Green

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Start time: 10:00 AM on Capital Public Radio.
Approximate running time 3 hrs 29 min

SEE "Semiramide" live in a local cinema!  
The Met Opera broadcasts select live productions directly into cinemas so you can see the opera instead of only listen on the radio. Click the link on this page to go to the Met Opera's website for info and to find a cinema near you!  Start times are generally 9:55am here on the west coast.

After this, upcoming productions in cinemas are:

Mar 31: "Cosi Fan Tutte" (Mozart)
Apr 14: "Luisa Miller" (Verdi)
Apr 28: "Cendrillon" (Massenet)