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Myth, desire and the dangerous allure of fantasy: Semele at Dutch National Opera

Elsa Benoit (Semele)
© Bart Grietens
Semele at Dutch National Opera
© Bart Grietens
Semele at Dutch National Opera
© Bart Grietens
Semele at Dutch National Opera
© Bart Grietens
Semele at Dutch National Opera
© Bart Grietens
By Mengguang Huang, 24 January 2026
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“this Semele succeeds because it keeps the drama firmly grounded in human emotion”
Reviewed at Dutch National Opera and Ballet, Amsterdam on 23 January 2026
Programme
Handel, Semele
Performers
Dutch National Opera
Emmanuelle Haïm, Conductor
Claus Guth, Director
Michael Levine, Set Designer
Gesine Völlm, Costume Designer
Michael Bauer, Lighting Designer
Le Concert d'Astrée
Chorus of Dutch National Opera
rocafilm, Video
Yvonne Gebauer, Dramaturgy
Christopher Warmuth, Dramaturgy
Nadezhda Karyazina, Ino
Elsa Benoit, Semele
David Portillo, Jupiter
Florian Boesch, Somnus, Cadmus
Jakub Józef Orliński, Athamas
Jasmin White, Juno
Jessica Niles, Iris
Edward Ananian-Cooper, Choirmaster / chorus director
Ramses Sigl, Choreography
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More reviews...
Read reviews of
Chorus of Dutch National OperaChristopher WarmuthClaus GuthDavid PortilloDutch National BalletDutch National OperaEdward Ananian-CooperElsa BenoitEmmanuelle HaïmFlorian BoeschGeorge Frideric HandelGesine VöllmJakub Józef OrlińskiJasmin WhiteJessica NilesLe Concert d'AstréeMichael BauerMichael LevineNadezhda KaryazinaRamses SiglSemeleYvonne Gebauerrocafilm
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Mengguang Huang
Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.