Episode details

Radio 3,31 Oct 2026,119 mins
Handel's Semele in Building a Library with Jeremy Summerly and Andrew McGregor
Record ReviewAvailable for 28 days
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 latterly become one of Handel's most performed stage works. Top choice: Early Opera Company, Christian Curnyn (conductor) Chandos CHAN0745 c. 3.45pm Record of the Week. Andrew's top pick of the week's releases.
Programme WebsiteTracklist
- TrackArtist
- 1.Hallucinations II; Love and Hate (Goya - suite)Hallucinations II; Love and Hate (Goya - suite)Gian Carlo Menotti
- 2.Harpsichord concerto (2nd mvt)Harpsichord concerto (2nd mvt)Caroline Shaw
- 3.Clarinet Concertino in E flat Op.26 (3rd mvt)Clarinet Concertino in E flat Op.26 (3rd mvt)Carl Maria von Weber