Semiramide (1990)

In ancient Babylon SEMIRAMIDE Anderson encourages her lover Assur Ramey to murder her husband King Ninus Her son Ninius disappears believed dead and Semiramide rules in her own right 15 years later as the opera opens she is about to announce the name of her successor Idreno Olsen and Assur are the leading candidates for the throne and the hand of Princess Azema Shin but Semiramide has taken a fancy to young Arsace Horne her victorious military leader who has been summoned back to Babylon Only the high priest Oroe Cheek knows that Arsace is actually Ninius spirited away to safety after the coup As the queen announces Arsace as her successor the ghost of her husband appears from his tomb demanding that Arsace punish the late kings murderers Filmed at New Yorks Metropolitan Opera John Copleys production of Rossinis last longest and most elaborate dramatic opera brings together what many consider the definitive contemporary cast