Semele

Beloved of Jupiter, she is not satisfied. Semele challenges her lover to reveal his godliness and is destroyed in the process. Here is Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s cantata Semele, a tale of ambition, doubt, vanity and dissatisfaction. Acclaimed soprano Anna Fraser renders this horrifying story in the French style – refined, lush and perfect. Together with trio sonatas by Rebel and Marais, this is music of the best quality from the reign of Louis XIV.

Announcement: Soprano Anna Fraser was forced to withdraw from this event. She is replaced by lyric soprano Amy Moore. With her are Stephen Freeman, Shaun Warden (violins), Shaun Ng (viola da gamba) and Diana Weston (harpsichord).

Where & When 2018

March 11 @ 3 pm at Mosman Art Gallery

March 18 @ 5.30pm at The Rose Room, 51F Sunninghill Ave, Burradoo.

Lyrics to Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s Semele (English translation)

Jupiter had made an indiscrete oath,

To grant any wish to a faithful lover.

Semele still has doubts about her lover’s rank

And this doubt torments her.

She desires to see him in his immortal glory,

But Love, taking pity on her,

Delays the moment of such a fatal pleasure.

Meanwhile Semele moans, grows impatient,

She complains thus of waiting too long.

Can one not live as your slave,

Without suffering mortal pains?

Love, you promise a thousand things,

Which are not to be found when in your chains.

A heart which has let itself be charmed (2)

Must sacrifice everything to its flame. (2)

My lover, if he knew how to love,

Would anticipate my soul’s desire.

My lover, if he knew how to love,

Would anticipate my soul’s desire. (3)

But what astounding noise fills the air,

What devastation; lightning roars,

The sky opens up, flashes of lightning

Announce to me the master of the world.

What a majestic display, what a sight to see,

Forgive me, I was wrong to doubt your oath.

What triumph, what victory flatters my ambitious heart.

Is there anything to equal my glory?

I am going to enjoy the lot of the Gods.

I do not want mystery

To hide the happiness of my chains.

Let everyone know that I knew how to please

The greatest God of the universe,

That I knew how to please (3)

The greatest God of the universe.

Ah! What fire suddenly fills me with terror.

I see this Palace burst into flames.

Ah! Heaven!  Ah!  Heaven! I feel myself being consumed.

Jupiter, what then is the fate of your lover?

One desire leads me to the ultimate misfortune,

What horrible torment; I am vanquished, I die.

When Love enchains,

With its most pleasing knots,

Let us not mix with its fires

Eagerness for an empty glory,

Let us not partake of these desires,

When Love enchains us. (2)

The razzle-dazzle, the dizzy heights, were never worthwhile.

The greatest happiness is to be found in a tender bond of love. (2)

The razzle-dazzle, the dizzy heights, must be counted for nought. (2)

Translation by Patricia Gemmell 2018.