EVENINGS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC - BAHRAIN - |
PROGRAMME FOR 23 MAY 2001 |
XERXES (SERSE) OPERA BY GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759) |
Comic opera in three acts Libretto: Original by Nicolo Minato, revised by Silvio Stampiglia, translated into English by Nicholas Hytner Premiere: 15 April 1738 in London |
CAST Serse, King of Persia Arsamene, his brother, in love with Romilda Amastre, heiress to the kingdom of Tagor, betrothed to Serse Ariodate, a prince, vassal to Serse Romilda, his daughter, in love with Arsamene Atalanta, her sister, secretly in love with Arsamene Elviro, servant of Arsamene |
- Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano) - Christopher Robson (counter-tenor) - Jean Rigby (mezzo-soprano) - Rodney Macann (bass) - Valerie Masterson (soprano) - Lesley Garrett (soprano) - Christopher Booth-Jones (bass) |
English National Opera Chorus & Orchestra conducted by CHARLES MACKERRAS |
THE STORY The libretto is largely fictional, but has a historical background derived from Herodotus's account of the Graeco-Persian wars. The title role represents king Serse I (who reigned 485-65 BC), and the action supposedly takes place at the time of his expedition against Greece, about 470 BC. The place of action (unspecified in the libretto) is presumably Abydos. ACT 1 In a garden, with a summer house on one side, Serse addresses affectionate praise to the shade of a plane tree. Arsamene and his clownish servant Elviro watch as sweet music is heard and Romilda, in the summer house, sings in gentle mockery of Serse: he loves a tree, but it responds only with the rustle of its leaves. Arsamene (who, unknown to Serse, is Romilda's lover) tells his brother he does not know who the singer is. As Romilda's singing grows livelier Serse becomes captivated by her: he loves her, wants her as his wife. He orders the dumbfounded Arsamene to tell Romilda of his wishes, but Arsamene pleads shyness and Serse is determined to do his own wooing. Arsamene warns Romilda of what is about to happen, so giving hope to Romilda's sister Atalanta that Romilda will yield to Serse and leave Arsamene for her. Serse bans Arsamene from the court and declares his love to Romilda, but she remains unmoved. Amastre appears, disguised as a man; she is betrothed to Serse but, abandoned by him, seeks revenge. Romilda's father Ariodate announces a Persian victory and presents enemy insignia and prisoners to Serse; in reward the king promises Ariodate a royal husband, "equal to Serse", for Romilda. Arsamene gives Elviro a letter for Romilda, grieving at his separation from her. Atalanta tells Romilda that Arsamene has found a new lover, but Romilda sees through her lie and says her love will remain true. ACT 2 In a public square, Amastre encounters Elviro, disguised as a flower seller and speaking in dialect. She questions him and is grief-stricken and angry to learn that Serse is to marry Romilda (disapproved of by Elviro as a vassal's daughter). Atalanta appears and Elviro makes himself known to her; she says she will deliver Arsamene's letter, telling Elviro that Romilda has abandoned Arsamene and now loves Serse. Elviro curses Romilda and leaves as the king approaches. Serse finds Atalanta reading the letter, and asks to see it. It is a declaration of love that Serse recognises to be in Arsamene's hand. Atalanta claims that the letter is hers and it is she whom Arsamene truly loves. Serse is delighted, and takes the letter; Atalanta reminds him that Arsamene will deny he loves her. He now confronts Romilda with the letter: she insists she will always love Arsamene. Serse is furious but cannot bring himself to reject her. Elviro prevents Armastre from killing herself. He tells Arsamene what Atalanta said about Romilda and Serse; Arsamene is heartbroken. By Serse's new bridge joining the shores of the Hellespont, a chorus of mariners congratulates him on the achievement. Serse tells Ariodate that he will shortly advance into Europe. He meets the despondent Arsamene and tells him he is no longer angry: he gladly gives Arsamene permission to marry the woman he really loves, Atalanta. Arsamene declares he loves only Romilda and remains determined to win her. Serse advises Atalanta to forget Arsamene but she says she cannot. Elviro remarks on the gathering storm, which threatens to wreck the bridge, and seeks solace in drink. Serse meets Amastre, who claims to have been wounded while serving Serse in the wars. Their strained conversation is interrupted by Romilda. The king again asks her to marry him, but Amastre intervenes, calls Serse a traitor and draws her sword. She is arrested by the royal guards, but released on the orders of Romilda, who delivers a ringing tribute to those faithful in love. ACT 3 Arsamene and Romilda are quarrelling, but are swiftly reconciled when Atalanta admits her deception and resigns herself to finding another lover. Serse again presses Romilda to marry him. She tells Serse to seek her father's permission; she will obey her father's orders. Reproached by Arsamene, she says it is death, not marriage, which awaits her. Serse again asks Ariodate if he is happy for Romilda to marry "a person equal to us, and of our blood", and Ariodate, assuming that Arsamene is the person in question, gladly agrees. Romilda now resolves to reject Serse, telling him that Arsamene is her lover and that they have kissed. Serse says this is a ruse to thwart him but orders Arsamene's execution. Amastre offers to help Romilda by giving her a letter to take to Serse, and reflects on the grief she has brought on herself by loving one who has betrayed her. Arsamene blames Romilda for his death sentence. The final scene takes place in the temple of the sun. Romilda and Arsamene enter, still quarrelling, but when Ariodate joins their hands and tells them they are married with Serse's consent, they are joyfully reconciled. Now Serse appears, to marry Romilda, and is furious when Ariodate explains what he has done. His anger is intensified when a page brings a letter from Romilda, upbraiding him for his betrayal in love, and is not assuaged when the letter is revealed to be from Amastre. He draws his sword and orders Arsamene to kill Romilda with it. But Amastre intervenes, asking Serse if he truly wishes treachery to be avenged: he agrees, and Amastre, revealing who she is, turns the sword on him. Serse begs her pardon, and receives it; his love for her will be renewed. He blesses the marriage of Romilda and Arsamene. All celebrate the union of love and honour. |
Recorded live at the London Coliseum, 1988 sung in English (no sub-titles) |
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