Act I
In the temple of Baal the magi and the people are gathered to summon the god and receive their Queen Semiramide. Since the death of Semiramide’s husband King Nino many years ago, the gods have brought illfortune upon Babylonia. Queen Semiramide is now planning to appoint the man who is to be her successor on the throne, and it is the hope of the people of Assyria that the decision will herald better times for the country. Prince Assur, a descendant of Baal, feels certain that he is the chosen one, while the Indian King Idreno is hoping to achieve the hand of Princess Azema, also a descendant of Baal, with whom he is in love. As Semiramide enters, she is celebrated by the people, but their cheers turn into screams of horror as the light on the temple altar is suddenly extinguished in a flash. Once again the gods have proven their anger towards Assyria.

Arsace, a young commander of Semiramide’s army, enters the temple, summoned by the queen. He vaguely recollects how he was sent away from Babylon by his dying father as a child, but he does not know who his father was. Arsace is eagerly anticipating a reunion at Semiramide’s palace with Princess Azema whom he has loved since one fateful day when he managed to save her from a vicious capturer. Oroe cordially greets the commander at the temple and seems to recognise the sword and the relics of Arsace’s father which Arsace is carrying. Oroe does not, however, reveal to Arsace the identity of his father nor how he died.

Assur enters and is furious to learn that Arsace intends to ask Semiramide for the hand of Azema. Assur claims that only he, Assur, is worthy of Azema’s hand, knowing that such a marriage will enable him to claim the throne. Arsace affirms that Assur is only after the power and that he does not know the true love that Arsace feels for Azema. The two men part as enemies.

In the entrance hall of the palace Idreno proposes marriage to Azema. Azema loves Arsace, but replies that her marriage is Semiramide’s decision. Believing Assur to be his only rival, Idreno is relieved when Azema assures him that she could never love Assur.

Semiramide meets with Arsace with whom she has fallen in love. When Arsace hints at his love for Azema, Semiramide misunderstands, thinking that he reciprocates her feelings.

Semiramide enters the throne room and announces that Arsace is to be her successor as well as her consort, and that Azema is to marry King Idreno. Arsace is distressed at these news, while Semiramide urges Oroe to conduct the wedding of herself and Arsace immediately. At that moment the ghost of King Nino appears to the terror of everyone present. ”Arsace, you shall be king,” says the ghost, ”But first a crime must be atoned.” Arsace is to descend into the tomb of King Nino where he must bring King Nino a human sacrifice.

Act II
Semiramide still intends to marry Arsace and urges Assur to accept Arsace as his king. Assur refuses and he and Semiramide argue. It was Assur who killed King Nino years ago by poisoning him, and he manipulated Semiramide into aiding him in the regicide. Semiramide repents the deed which also cost her her darling little son Ninia. The boy disappeared during the assassination, and Semiramide believes that he died along with his father. She blames Assur and wants him punished for his treachery, but Assur swears that he will take Semiramide down with him if he is to fall. In the sanctuary Oroe and the magi are gathered and are encouraging Arsace to find the human sacrifice that may expiate the death of Nino. Oroe reveals to Arsace that Arsace is Ninia, the son of King Nino and Semiramide, and that King Nino was killed by Assur and Semiramide. Arsace is appalled at these news, but Oroe and the magi urge him to slay the regicides.

At the palace, Idreno visits Azema, still determined to win her affections. Despite her love for Arsace, Azema is prepared to heed the command of Semiramide and marry Idreno.

Arsace seeks out Semiramide in her private chambers and tells her that he is his son, and that he knows about her involvement in Nino’s death. Devastated, Semiramide urges Arsace to kill her as a punishment for her crime. Arsace, however, declares his filial love and loyalty for Semiramide who is moved by this reunion with her long-lost son.

The time has now come for Arsace to descend into the tomb and grant his father’s wish. Assur is determined to overtake Arsace in the tomb and kill him, but is informed by his men that everyone has turned against him following Oroe’s revelation of Assur’s assassination of Nino. Distressed, Assur hallucinates about a ghostly opponent trying to prevent him from reaching Arsace, but he overcomes his fears and makes for the tomb.

Arsace and Assur are joined in the tomb by Semiramide who wishes to protect her son from harm. Oroe, too, has appeared in the tomb. Filled with dread Arsace, Assur, and Semiramide circle each other, their vision clouded by the thick darkness
of the tomb. Suddenly, Oroe calls out ”Strike, Ninia!”, causing a startled Assur to realize the true identity of the young commander. Arsace lashes out into the dark with his father’s sword, certain that he will strike Assur. However, it is not Assur who falls victim to the sword of Nino ...

Semiramis:

Henriette Bonde-Hansen
22/11, 25/11, 3/12, 5/12, 6/1, 10/1, 13/1, 16/1

Arsace:

Stephanie Houtzeel
22/11, 25/11, 3/12, 5/12

Irina de Baghi
6/1, 10/1, 13/1, 16/1

Azema:

Olga Nikolskaja-Heikkilä 
22/11, 25/11, 3/12, 5/12, 6/1, 10/1, 13/1, 16/1

Assur:

Wojtek Gierlach
22/11, 25/11, 3/12, 5/12, 6/1, 10/1, 13/1, 16/1

Idreno:

Barry Banks
22/11, 25/11, 3/12, 5/12, 6/1, 10/1, 13/1, 16/1

Oroe:

Florian Plock
22/11, 25/11, 3/12, 5/12, 6/1, 10/1, 13/1, 16/1

L'ombra di Nino:

Jens Bruno Hansen 
22/11, 25/11, 3/12, 5/12, 6/1, 10/1, 13/1, 16/1

The Royal Danish Theatre does not accept liability for printing errors. All information is subject to change.