Handel’s Semele, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
“It was quite simply an evening of delightfully and unwaveringly engaging theatre and a terrific musical treat. Un-costumed, and with gesture and movement left to the singers’ discretion, its dramatic impact derived solely from what we heard – from the superb team of soloists, instrumentalists and chorus – and from the manner of delivery as guided by Bicket and entrusted to the soloists’ own persuasive instincts… There was so much drama, too, in the playing of the English Concert. Nadja Zwiener worked tirelessly and, paradoxically, her labours resulted in a wonderful lightness: the violins’ bows were tremendously buoyant, almost breathlessly so.”
— Claire Seymour, Opera Today
