Serse
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| Operas by George Frideric Handel |
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Almira (1705) |
Serse (Xerxes) is an opera seria by George Frideric Handel. The Italian libretto was probably from an earlier opera of the same name by Giovanni Bononcini; it is not known who adapted it for Handel.
Serse is considered Handel's most Mozartian opera. Passion is mixed with farce and satire; the folly of human nature is exposed but never ridiculed. The opera is set in Persia in 480 BC and is very loosely based upon Xerxes I of Persia, though there is little in either the libretto or music that is relevant to that setting. Xerxes is a pants role; that is, it is a male role played by a mezzo-soprano.
The opening aria, "Ombra mai fu", a love song sung by Xerxes to a tree (Platanus orientalis), is set to one of Handel's best-known melodies, and is often played in an orchestral arrangement, known as Handel's "largo."
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[edit] Performance history
It was first performed in London on April 15, 1738. Unfortunately, in spite of the great beauty of music, Serse was not a success. It was withdrawn from London's Haymarket Theatre after only five performances and forgotten for 250 years.
A complete recording was made in 1979. As a stage production, it was revived in the 1980s. A particularly highly acclaimed production, sung in English, was staged by the English National Opera in 1985, to mark the 300th anniversary of the composer's birth. Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, it was directed by Nicholas Hytner, who also translated the libretto, and starred Ann Murray in the title role, with Valerie Masterson as Romilda, Christopher Robson as Arsamene, and Lesley Garrett as Atalanta. A DVD recording was made in 1995, when a revival of this production was staged with the same conductor and cast, and issued by Arthaus Musik.
[edit] Roles
- Serse: Gaetano Majorano, called "Caffarelli" (soprano-castrato)
- Arsamene: Maria Antonia Marchesini, called "La Lucchesina" (alto)
- Amastre: Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Romilda: Elisabeth Duparc, called "La Francesina" (soprano)
- Atalanta: Margherita Chimenti, called "La Droghierina" (soprano)
- Ariodate: Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Elviro: Antonio Lottini (bass)
[edit] Synopsis
King Xerxes is determined to wed Romilda; Romilda loves Xerxes' brother, Arsamene; Arsamene loves Romilda. Romilda's sister Atalanta is determined to make Arsamene hers.
Xerxes banishes Arsamene, who sends a note to Romilda through his servant Elviro, disguised as a flower vendor, pledging his eternal fidelity, but it is delivered instead to Atalanta, who shows it to her sister claiming that it was addressed to Atalanta. Arsamene and Romilda fight.
Xerxes pursues Romilda, and tells her father Ariodante that Romilda must wed, by the king's command, a member of Xerxes' family, equal in blood to himself. Ariodante mistakenly thinks he is referring to his brother Arsamene rather than himself.
Amastre, Xerxes' fiancée, forsaken by him for Romilda, disguises herself as a man and observes Xerxes. After Arsamene and Romilda wed, Amastre reveals herself to Xerxes, who becomes ashamed of his faithlessness. Amastre accepts his apology.
