17.01.2026

FLORIAN BOESCH as Cadmus & Somnus in Handel's Semele at the Dutch National Opera

From 17 January, Florian Boesch will be appearing on stage at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet in George Frideric Handel's opera Semele. He takes on the two powerful bass roles of Cadmus and Somnus in a Dutch National Opera production conducted by Emmanuelle Haïm and directed by Claus Guth.

For many years, Florian Boesch has been regarded as one of the most influential Handel interpreters of his generation. His successful collaboration with director Claus Guth, particularly in his highly acclaimed Handel productions, has contributed significantly to this. Boesch attracted considerable attention in the title role of Handel's Saul, in which he portrayed a ruler increasingly descending into madness with harrowing intensity. One review described him at the time as a ‘primordial force’ who dominated the ensemble and drew the audience's attention ‘like a black hole’.

This extraordinary stage presence, coupled with vocal authority and psychological insight, also predestines Florian Boesch for the contrasting roles of the dignified Cadmus and the enraptured Somnus in Semele. With his engagement in Amsterdam, he continues his impressive exploration of Handel's work, once again confirming his outstanding singing and acting capability.
 

George Frideric Handel: Semele

Elsa Benoit, Semele  
Jakub Józef Orliński, Athamas
Jasmin White, Juno
David Portillo, Jupiter
Florian Boesch, Cadmus / Somnus
Jessica Niles, Iris
Adèle Charvet, Ino

Emmanuelle Haim, Artistic Director
Claus Guth, Director
Michael Levine, Set Design
Gesine Völlm, Costume Design
Michael Bauer, Lighting Design
rocafilm, Video Design
Ramses Sigl, Choreography
Yvonne Gebauer, Christopher Warmuth, Dramaturgy
Le Concert d’Astrée