SEMELE - Album Release Concert

SEMELE - Swiss Premiere & Album Release Concert

An ancient myth becomes a contemporary story of the pursuit of truth and the price of transformation.

On 22 November 2026, mezzo-soprano Margarita Slepakova and ensemble Le Sommeil return to Basel, where the ensemble was founded, to celebrate the release of their debut album SEMELE on PENTATONE with a special concert at Voltahalle.

What connects French tragédie lyrique, English Baroque opera and Handel's dramatic musical theatre?

The myth of Semele, Jupiter's mortal lover who longs to see the god in his true form, as told by three Baroque composers: John Eccles, Marin Marais and George Frideric Handel.

In this interpretation, Semele is a woman who chooses to leave the safety of her golden cage in pursuit of truth, regardless of the consequences. Her story becomes a reflection on curiosity, freedom and the courage to confront reality beyond illusion.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

„Nights through dreams tell the myths forgotten by the day”
C. G. Jung

Le Sommeil explores the relationship between myth, dream and archetype, seeking contemporary resonance in the music of the past.
Founded at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Le Sommeil is an award-winning international early music ensemble bringing together outstanding soloists from a new generation of historically informed performers.

Its members regularly collaborate with leading European ensembles, including English Baroque Soloists, Il Pomo d'Oro, Les Talens Lyriques, Il Giardino Armonico, La Cetra and Capella Mediterranea. Many are also founders and artistic directors of their own ensembles and projects, including BREZZA, Pseudonym, Das Kolorit, El Parnasillo, Butter Quarter, El Gabinete de Música and Concerto Tempestivo.

Le Sommeil's first single, Sur une mer, was released by Universal Music. In 2025, the ensemble was named a laureate of the 60th International Wratislavia Cantans Festival competition, where it premiered SEMELE, and signed with PENTATONE for the release of its debut album. Since 2026, Le Sommeil has been a member of REMA, the European Early Music Network.

Margarita Slepakova is an award-winning coloratura mezzo-soprano, curator and founder of Le Sommeil. Her international career began under the mentorship of Sir John Eliot Gardiner. She enjoys an international career as an opera, concert, and recital singer cooperating with ensembles and orchestras in Europe. She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Musikverein in Vienna and Tonhalle Zürich, collaborating with leading conductors and ensembles across Europe. In 2025, she was selected for REMA's Remarkable programme, which recognises outstanding artistic personalities on the European early music scene.

PERFORMERS — LE SOMMEIL

Margarita Slepakova — Mezzo-soprano & curator
Marta Ramírez García-Mina — Baroque violin
Soko Yoshida — Baroque violin & viola
Rebecca Byeman — Baroque oboe & recorders
Pablo Gigosos Rico — Traverso
Carla Rovirosa — Baroque cello
Marino García González — Viola da gamba & double bass
Leon Serafin — Theorbo
Gabriel Smallwood — Harpsichord

PROGRAMME

Excerpts from three operatic works inspired by the myth of Semele:

John Eccles (1668–1735)
Marin Marais (1656–1728)
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)

Arias, recitatives, instrumental works and original compositions.

EVENT INFORMATION

Sunday, 22 November 2026 | 19:00
Voltahalle, Ampèreplatz 2, 4056 Basel

Concert duration: approximately 60 minutes.

TICKETS

Regular admission: CHF 20
Students: CHF 10

APÉRO

Before and after the concert, we warmly invite you to join us for an apéro to celebrate the album release and meet the artists.

SEMELE, the debut album by Margarita Slepakova & Le Sommeil, will be released worldwide on 20 November 2026 by PENTATONE.

www.lesommeilensemble.com