New Zealand Opera has gone full multimedia with this cinematic treat! It's Semele on the big screen, it's showing a one-off special fundraising session at Lumière Cinemas on April 15, and judging by the drama of the trailer and the awesomeness of the stage production we're pretty confident this is going to be a great night out.

This stunning new opera film, directed by Rebecca Tansley (The Heart Dances), was filmed in 2020 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. It features some of New Zealand’s best voices: Emma Pearson, Amitai Pati (SOL3 MIO), Paul Whelan, Sarah Castle, Stephen Diaz, Chelsea Dolman and Sashe Angelovski along with the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Chorus and the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir. A baroque orchestra under the baton of Peter Walls ONZM brings Handel’s intricate score to life.

The story explores the sensual love triangle between Jupiter (King of the Gods), his wife Juno, and his lover, the mortal princess Semele. As with all mythological stories, this is a story of love, passion, revenge and tragedy – set to some of the most beautiful music Handel ever wrote. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this luminous production brought to life once again on the silver screen.

All proceeds from the fundraiser event go towards funding more incredible homegrown opera on the big screen, so get in there.

Lumière Cinemas
Thursday 15 April
nzopera.com

[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aalg35RJutA"]