Semele

In Greek mythology, the daughter of Cadmus of Thebes and mother of Dionysus by Zeus. At Hera's suggestion she demanded that Zeus should appear to her in all his glory, but when he did so she was consumed by lightning.

Semele

Opera-oratorio by Handel, performed at Covent Garden, London, on 10 February 1744. The libretto by Congreve (with anonymous alterations) was originally intended for an opera. The story concerns Semele, who aspires to immortality. But the jealous Juno tricks her into being consumed by the fire of her lover, Jupiter. The opera was revived at Covent Garden in 1982.