Semperoper brings Handel oratorio "Saul" to the stage

The Semperoper in Dresden is staging George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Saul" - as a production of the Theater an der Wien and with an international cast. The Saxon State Opera thus concludes its series of premieres of the current season on the big stage on June 1. According to the Semperoper, a performance of the work, which was first performed in London in 1739, has not yet been documented at the opera house or in the concert chronicles of the Sächsische Staatskapelle. As a result, music fans can look forward to a double premiere.

Director Claus Guth has staged the oratorio about the Old Testament story of King Saul and the young David. The musical director is Leo Hussain from Great Britain, who is also making his debut at the Semperoper. The same applies to Florian Boesch in the title role and Jake Arditti as David. The Austrian bass-baritone Boesch and the British countertenor Arditti already wowed audiences and the press with their interpretation at the premiere of the production in Vienna in 2018.