Semiramide (1990)
In ancient Babylon, SEMIRAMIDE (Anderson) encourages her lover Assur (Ramey) to murder her husband, King Ninus. Her son, Ninius, disappears, believed dead, and Semiramide rules in her own right. 15 years later, as the opera opens, she is about to announce the name of her successor. Idreno (Olsen) and Assur are the leading candidates for the throne and the hand of Princess Azema (Shin), but Semiramide has taken a fancy to young Arsace (Horne), her victorious military leader who has been summoned back to Babylon. Only the high priest Oroe (Cheek) knows that Arsace is actually Ninius, spirited away to safety after the coup. As the queen announces Arsace as her successor, the ghost of her husband appears from his tomb, demanding that Arsace punish the late king’s murderers... Filmed at New York's Metropolitan Opera, John Copley's production of Rossini's last, longest and most elaborate dramatic opera brings together what many consider the definitive contemporary cast.
Cast
- June Anderson - Semiramide
- Marilyn Horne - Arsace
- Samuel Ramey - Assur
- Stanford Olsen - Idreno
- Young-Ok Shin - Azema
- John Cheek - Oroe
Screenplay
- Gaetano Rossi
- Voltaire (Original Story)
Themes
Heartbreaking Tragic Losses, Opera Grandeur and Dramatic Voices, Opera Stage and Dramatic Arias, Classical Music and Art, Stories of Heartbreak and Suffering
Keywords
princess, opera, treason, tragedy, murder, high priest, gender disguise, death of husband, babylon, baal
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Semiramide about?
- In ancient Babylon, SEMIRAMIDE (Anderson) encourages her lover Assur (Ramey) to murder her husband, King Ninus. Her son, Ninius, disappears, believed dead, and Semiramide rules in her own right. 15 years later, as the opera opens, she is about to announce the name of her successor. Idreno (Olsen) and Assur are the leading candidates for the throne and the hand of Princess Azema (Shin), but Semiramide has taken a fancy to young Arsace (Horne), her victorious military leader who has been summoned back to Babylon. Only the high priest Oroe (Cheek) knows that Arsace is actually Ninius, spirited away to safety after the coup. As the queen announces Arsace as her successor, the ghost of her husband appears from his tomb, demanding that Arsace punish the late king’s murderers... Filmed at New York's Metropolitan Opera, John Copley's production of Rossini's last, longest and most elaborate dramatic opera brings together what many consider the definitive contemporary cast.
- Who directed Semiramide?
- Semiramide was directed by Brian Large.
- Who stars in Semiramide?
- Semiramide stars June Anderson, Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey, Stanford Olsen, Young-Ok Shin, John Cheek.
- How long is Semiramide?
- Semiramide has a runtime of 3h 39m (219 minutes).
- What genre is Semiramide?
- Semiramide is a Drama, Music film.
- Where was Semiramide produced?
- Semiramide was produced in United States of America.
- What are the themes of Semiramide?
- The themes of Semiramide include: Heartbreaking Tragic Losses, Opera Grandeur and Dramatic Voices, Opera Stage and Dramatic Arias, Classical Music and Art, Stories of Heartbreak and Suffering.