Humanity and the divine collide in Semele, the Australian premiere of John Eccles’ opera of 1706, edited by Richard Platt and performed in semi-staged concert by innovative Baroque music collective, HIP Company.

Semele tells of the doomed love affair between the God Jupiter and the mortal Semele who seeks immortality, but will her ambition be rewarded or punished? Deception, disguise, desperation, and dragons abound in this exemplar from an underrated composer of the refined, yet virtuosic style of English opera of the time.

With artistic direction by Bonnie de la Hunty (soprano), Sarah Papadopoulos (violinist) and Krista Low (cellist) and an orchestra and cast of Perth’s finest exponents of Baroque music led by Concertmaster Shaun Lee-Chen (appearing courtesy of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra), Semele will delight both Baroque music connoisseurs and newcomers alike.

Performance length: 140 minutes including an interval with complimentary light refreshments sponsored by Victory Point Wines.