Synopsis - Act II

Act Two of Semiramide opens in a room at the palace, where Semiramide and Assur quarrel over their past crimes, which are beginning to unravel their reign. Assur reminds Semiramide that she had promised to marry him as his reward for his assistance in the killing of Nino, and the two threaten each other with going public with the the secret.

	Semiramide and Assur each threaten to "go public" and ruin the other with the truth. View the entire slide show

Meanwhile, in the palace sanctuary Oroe and the Magi assemble to lead Arsace to Nino's tomb. Oroe reveals to Arsace that he is the son of the slain Nino and Semiramide, and therefore rightful heir to the throne, and that his mother and Assur in fact murdered his father. Arsace vows to kill Assur, but prays that his father's spirit will be merciful to his mother.

In a room in the palace. Arsace reveals to Semiramide that he knows she and Assur have killed King Nino, and that he, Arsace, is her son. Tormented by guilt, Semiramide offers her life, but Arsace is forgiving, and responds that however hateful she is in the eyes of the gods, she is still his mother. He tells her he is going to Nino's tomb to beg pardon for her, and to avenge his father's death.

In a remote part of the palace, near the tomb of Nino, Assur prepares to meet and kill Arsace, but he learns that Oroe has revealed his crimes to the people, and he therefore has no hope of becoming king. This, and his guilt, drive him to the point of madness, which he shakes off and prepares to do battle.

Oroe has guided Arsace to the mausoleum of Nino, where he will meet Assur, but Semiramide, fearful for her son's safety, has also gone there, and in the ensuing duel Arsace kills her by mistake. As Assur is led off to his judgment the horrified Arsace accepts the crown and the acclaim of the people.

Act I  -  Act II