|Startsida | Sångare | Andra artister och kreatörer | Libretton | Operahus | Jag och min operavärld | Sökord |
|Startsida | Sångare | Andra artister och kreatörer | Libretton | Operahus | Jag och min operavärld | Sökord |
Music:G.F.Händel Lyrics:Nicola Minato Libretto by Bononcini, after Stampiglia
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First performance:15 of April 1738 in London
| Role | Voicetype |
|---|---|
| Xerces | mezzosoprano |
| Romilda | soprano |
| Atalanta | soprano |
| Arsamene | counter-tenor |
| Amastre | mezzosoprano |
| Ariodate | bass |
Xerces (Serse) king of Persia, is sitting benath a three enjoying its shade when his brother Arsamene arrives, looking for Romilda, with whom he is in love. Romilda´s distant voice attracts Xerces but Arsamene warns him that she is of low birth and thus unworthy of his attentions. Despite this, Xerces requests his brother to arrange a meeting, causing Arsamene considerable distress. When Arsamene relays his brother´s intentions to Romilda, her sister Atalanta who is attracted to Arsamene - hears what she believes to be the good news. Xerces attempts to coerce Romilda into marriage and Arsamene intervenes, provoking the king into banishing him. Romilda refuses to marry Xerces, however. Xerces´betrothed Amastre arrives, disguised as a man, to hear Xerces´plans for Romilda. Arsamene sends a note to Romilda expressing his love, but she is doubtful of his constancy and warns her sister to keep away from him.
Atalanta intercepts Arsamene´s letter to Romilda and shows it to Xerces, telling him that it had been written to her. Xerces, determined to see his brother marry Atalanta, shows Romilda the letter as proof of Arsamene´s faithlessness, but not even this is enough to convince her to marry Xerces. He tries to force himself upon her but Amastre (still in disguise) intercedes, offering to support her against the king.
Atalanta, confronted by Romilda, claims she pretended to be the subject of Arsamene´s letter in order to shield Romilda from Xerces.When Xerces makes yet another move towards Romilda she announces that she needs the permission of Arodate, her father, before any talk of marriage. Xerces duly informs Ariodate that his daughter is to marry into royalty, gaining his immediate agreement - Ariodate thinking that the suitor is Arsamene. Romilda and Arsamene, attended by Ariodate, get married, which prompts Xerces to order Ariodate´s arrest. Xerces then receives a letter from his betrothed in which she treatens suicide, to which he responds by giving Arsamena a sword and commanding him to kill his new wife. Amastre seizes the sword and turns it on Xerces. Duly repentant, Xerces blesses his brother´s marriage.
