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Serse

Serse (Italian pronunciation: [ˈsɛrse]; English title: Xerxes; HWV 40) is an opera seria in three acts by George Frideric Handel. It was first performed in London on 15 April 1738. The Italian libretto was adapted by an unknown hand from that by Silvio Stampiglia (1664–1725) for an earlier opera of the same name by Giovanni Bononcini in 1694. Stampiglia's libretto was itself based on one by Nicolò Minato (ca.1627–1698) that was set by Francesco Cavalli in 1654. The opera is set in Persia (modern-day Iran) about 470 BC and is very loosely based upon Xerxes I of Persia. Serse, originally sung by a mezzo-soprano castrato, is now usually performed by a female mezzo-soprano or countertenor.

See also: Xerxes (disambiguation)

The opening aria, "Ombra mai fu", sung by Xerxes to a plane tree (Platanus orientalis), is set to one of Handel's best-known melodies, and is often known as Handel's "Largo" (despite being marked "larghetto" in the score).

Best, Terence. Booklet notes to the recording by

William Christie

(1995). "Handel's Serse". In Thomas Bauman (ed.). Opera and the Enlightenment. Cambridge University Press.

Dean, Winton

(2014). "Musical London 1737–38", in Xerxes, (programme of the English National Opera production revial). pp. 10–13.

Keates, Jonathan

Notes


Sources

(2006), Handel's Operas, 1726–1741, Boydell Press, ISBN 1843832682 The second of the two-volume definitive reference on the operas of Handel.

Dean, Winton

: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project

Serse