The Canadian Opera Company's production of Handel's Semele comes to BAM March 4—10. Context is everything, so get even closer to the show with this curated selection of articles, interviews, and videos related to the production. Once you've seen it, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below.
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Article + Video
Myth Manifest: Zhang Huan’s Semele(COC.ca)
Learn more about the history of the Semele temple, get to know director and art provocateur Zhang Huan, and more.
Article
Zhang Huan’s Notes on Semele(BAM Blog)
Faced with the choice of using a fake set or something real, Zhang Huan chose 17 tons of the latter.
Article
Zhang Huan on Chinese Dreams (The Guardian)
Zhang Huan has come a long way since his days of sitting naked in public toilets, covered in flies.
Article
Semele in a Chinese Shrine (BAM Blog)
A 450-year-old Chinese temple was director Zhang Huan’s “doorway” into the world of Semele and Handel.
Gallery
Zhang Huan at Pace Gallery (PaceGallery.com)
View Zhang Huan's visual art.
Look & Listen
Going With The Flow: Handel's Semele (NPR.org)
Some were Team Opera. Some were Team Oratorio. Handel wrote Semele to bring them together.
Video
A Temple Comes Together (COC.ca)
Semele's stunning Ming Dynasty setting rises from the stage.
Video
Altered States: The Art of Zhang Huan (YouTube)
A survey of performance-art milestones by Zhang Huan.
Audio
Opera in Handel’s London (BBC)
Semele began as an oratorio but was eventually performed as an opera. Immerse yourself in the musical milieu of the time.
Now your turn...
So how did you enjoy the show? Likes? Dislikes? Surprises? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below.