Handel's Semele in Building a Library with Jeremy Summerly and Andrew McGregor
Andrew McGregor with the best of the week's new classical releases, joined by Marina Frolova-Walker and Jeremy Summerly, who surveys recordings of Handel's Semele.
Andrew McGregor with the best of the week's new classical releases, joined by Marina Frolova-Walker and Jeremy Summerly, who surveys recordings of Handel's Semele and makes a top recommendation.
c. 2.10pm Professor Marina Frolova-Walker joins Andrew to review a batch of new releases that have caught her ear.
c. 3pm Building a Library: Conductor Jeremy Summerly joins Andrew to survey recordings of Handel's Semele and make a top recommendation.
Handel's Semele, a 'musical drama after the manner of an oratorio', was first presented in concert form at Covent Garden theatre during Lent 1744 but was not the pious work that London audiences might have expected. The story, from Ovid's Metamorphoses, concerns the mortal Semele's affair with the god Jupiter and her desire to become a goddess. With its rich and varied score, including such gems as 'Where'er you walk' and 'Endless pleasure', it has become one of Handel's most-performed stage works.
c. 3.45pm Record of the Week. Andrew's top pick of the week's releases.
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- Sat 31 Oct 202614:00BBC Radio 3
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