Serse
Serse (English: Xerxes) is an opera seria in three acts with music by George Frideric Handel. The Italian libretto was written by Silvio Stampiglia. The opera was first performed in London on 15 April 1738. The opera was a failure. It closed after only five performances. The first aria in the opera, "Ombra mai fu", is very famous. It is sometimes known as "Handel's Largo".
| Serse | |
|---|---|
| by George Frideric Handel | |
 Handel in 1733 | |
| Genre | Opera seria in 3 acts |
| Native title | Serse |
| Translation | Xerxes |
| Librettist | Silvio Stampiglia |
| Language | Italian |
| Premiere | London, England 15 April 1738 |
Serse Media
Title page of the libretto, London 1738
George Frideric Handel, portrayed by Balthasar Denner in the 1720s
London King's Theatre Haymarket, where Serse was first performed
Caffarelli, who created the role of Serse
Élisabeth Duparc, who created the role of Romilda
Antonia Merighi, who created the role of Amastre, in a caricature by Antonio Maria Zanetti
Katarina Karnéus as Xerxes, Stockholm, Royal Swedish Opera, 2009
Xerxes crossing the Hellespont
