Serse

Opera

Writers: George Frederic Handel Niccolo Minato Silvio Stampiglia

Overview

Show Information

Category
Opera
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1738
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Persia, 470 BC, Iran
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal for
College/University, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Opera
Casting Notes
Mostly female cast
Includes young adult, adult, mature adult characters

Synopsis

On hearing a beautiful voice singing in the garden King Serse, naturally, falls in love. The fact that he is already engaged, and that the singer is actually in love with his brother, are completely irrelevant. He will simply banish his brother, and make the girl’s father an offer he could never refuse. With a plan as stable as his one for the bridge of boats across the Hellespont, Serse never imagines that he will fail.

What he does not expect to encounter is the strength of true love. His brother Arsamene and his beloved Romilda are destined to be together. Some misdirected messages, a couple of disguises, and an accidental marriage later, and King Serse is left fuming and with no friends. How will he redeem himself, and save himself from the vengeance of his betrayed fiance?

With one of Handel’s most well-known melodies as it’s opening aria, Serse is a delightfully silly romantic comedy much like the comic operas of Handel’s successors, Mozart and Rossini.

Lead Characters


Serse guide sections