Dutch National Opera

Semele

George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759)

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Dates

17 – 29 January 2026

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

4:10, incl. 2 intervals

Tickets

From € 32

Persoon met een hoofddeksel in de vorm van zwarte vleugels

Photo: Hugo Thomassen

A struggle between desire and reality

Semele feels like a bystander in her own life. Under pressure from her father, she agrees to marry Athamas, but in her heart, she longs for the supreme god Jupiter. In Claus Guth’s compelling staging of Semele, George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece, this love is not reality but an escape into imagination. Semele creates a parallel world in which her deepest desires are fulfilled: an understanding father, a loving husband, and complete self-determination. But the stronger her illusion becomes, the further she drifts from reality. As her role as bride is taken over by her sister Ino, she risks losing herself in what could have been.

Handel’s unique approach

Semele has never before been staged in Amsterdam. In this opera, George Frideric Handel embraced the English tradition of narrative theatre, breaking away from Italian conventions. Drawing inspiration from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, he created a work that is both intimate and grand. By combining a dramatic operatic style with the lyrical sensitivity of an oratorio, Semele holds a unique place in Handel’s repertoire.

Handel specialists

After their acclaimed performance of Giulio Cesare in the 2022 – 2023 season, conductor Emmanuelle Haïm and her Le Concert d’Astrée return to Amsterdam. Director Claus Guth, widely praised at Dutch National Opera for his powerful stagings of Jephtha (2016) and Rodelinda (2020), now adds Semele to his impressive series of Handel productions.

An exceptional cast

The title role is performed by soprano Louise Alder, renowned for her vocal virtuosity and emotional depth, who makes her house debut. Countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński appears at Dutch National Opera for the first time as Athamas, impressing not only vocally but also as a breakdancer. The cast also includes Jasmin White, Jessica Niles and Florian Boesch.

Ticket sales start

Ticket sales for Semele start on 28 August 2025 at 12 noon. Don’t want to miss this on-sale moment? Sign up for our ticket alert and receive a notification when ticket sales open.

Performance information

New production at Dutch National Opera

Opera after the manner of an oratorio, in three acts

Sung in English

Music Georg Friedrich Händel

Libretto William Congreve

Musical direction Emmanuelle Haïm
Stage direction Claus Guth
Set design Michael Levine
Costume design Gesine Völlm
Lighting design Michael Bauer
Video design rocafilm
Choreography Ramses Sigl
Dramaturgy Yvonne Gebauer, Christopher Warmuth

Semele Louise Alder
Athamas Jakub Józef Orliński
Juno Jasmin White
Jupiter David Portillo
Cadmus / Somnus Florian Boesch
Iris Jessica Niles
Ino Adèle Charvet

Le Concert d’Astrée

Chorus of Dutch National Opera
Chorus master Edward Ananian-Cooper

Production of Bayerische Staatsoper Munich, in collaboration with Metropolitan Opera New York

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Ticket prices

We provide discounts tailored for certain groups to ensure our performances are accessible to all. Please visit this page to determine if you qualify for a discount.

Price category	Standard	CJP \| Stadspas \| Youth aged 16 and under
1^st	€ 171,00	€ 155,00
2^nd	€ 146,00	€ 125,00
3^rd	€ 117,00	€ 97,00
4^th	€ 90,00	€ 79,00
5^th	€ 60,00	€ 50,00
6^th	€ 29,00	€ 23,00

Dutch National Opera & Ballet uses a system of dynamic pricing. This means that tickets for popular performances may increase in price as the performance date approaches and more tickets are sold. All prices exclude the booking fee (€ 3 per ticket).

Student discount and student alert

Last-minute deal! When a performance isn’t sold out, students can purchase a ticket online for just € 20 on the day of the performance starting from 13:00.

To stay updated on more offers, sign up for our student alert. This way, you’ll be informed in advance about which performances you can attend for just € 20!

Ticket sales for Semele start on 28 August 2025 at 12 noon. Don’t want to miss this on-sale moment? Sign up for our ticket alert and receive a notification when ticket sales open.

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Multi-talented performer combines baroque with breakdancing

Countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński on Semele

Countertenor and breakdancer Jakub Józef Orliński sings, acts, and dances in the role of Athamas, the fiancé of the main protagonist, Semele. He will be making his debut at Dutch National Opera in Handel’s English-language masterpiece. “The director Claus Guth said the role of Athamas was made for me, and he’s quite right.”

Introduction

An introduction offering background information to enrich your theatre visit takes place 45 minutes before the performance. The introductions are given in Dutch and are free to attend without a reservation. Simply present your ticket for the performance. They take place in the Souterrain.