In Mears’ bleak Royal Opera Semele, Pretty Yende stands out

Pretty Yende (Semele)

Marianna Hovanisyan (Iris), Pretty Yende (Semele) and Alice Coote (Juno)

Alice Coote (Juno), Brindley Sherratt (Somnus) and Marianna Hovanisyan (Iris)

Ben Bliss (Jupiter) and Pretty Yende (Semele)

Niamh O'Sullivan (Ino) and Carlo Vistoli (Athamas)

By David Karlin, 01 July 2025

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“who knew that Pretty Yende sings Handel as if she has been doing so since the cradle?”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 30 June 2025

Handel, Semele

The Royal Opera

Christian Curnyn, Conductor

Oliver Mears, Director

Annemarie Woods, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Fabiana Piccioli, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Royal Opera Chorus

Pretty Yende, Semele

Niamh O'Sullivan, Ino

Brindley Sherratt, Somnus, Cadmus

Carlo Vistoli, Athamas

Ben Bliss, Jupiter

Alice Coote, Juno

Marianna Hovanisyan, Iris

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Pretty Yende leads an outstanding cast in Oliver Mears’ bleak Semele at The Royal Opera