Serse, Handel

515 East Thacker Street,Des Plaines IL 60016

16 July, 2022

Description

CREATIVE TEAM Conductor: Nathan Cicero Director: Cathy Dunn Assistant Conductor: Colin Roshak Serse, the king of Persia, sings in a lush garden, lovingly thanking the tree providing him shade. He is joined by his brother Arsamene, in search of his love Romilda, and Arsamene's comical servant Elviro. From afar, Romilda returns Serse's song, gently laughing at Serse's unrequited love for the tree. Entranced, Serse shifts his unrequited attentions from the tree to Romilda; he declares that she must become his wife. Arsamene attempts to dissuade his brother without revealing his own feelings for Romilda, but when he can no longer remain silent, Serse banishes Arsamene. Romilda refuses the king's proposal, but Serse does not yield. This romantic complication is welcome, however, to Romilda's sister Atalanta; she is also in love with Arsamene and hopes that Serse will marry Romilda, removing an obstacle in her own quest for love. Less thrilled is the princess Amastre, who is betrothed to Serse and does not take kindly to being jilted. Also involved is Ariodate, the father of Romilda and Atalanta and Serse's heroic general. As each character pursues their own ends, interspersed with the historical accomplishments of Xerxes I of Persia, some manipulate and coerce, while others follow their hearts and refuse to deny true love. It is Serse's poetic streak, evident from his opening aria, that becomes his undoing. His grandiose, ambiguous promise to Ariodate that Romilda will marry “one equal to the king” comes to pass, but not as he intended. However, Serse realizes the error of his ways and the opera seria concludes with a customary happy ending. First performed at the King's Theatre in London in 1738, Serse was unsuccessful in its initial run. It befuddled audiences with humorous elements that seemed out of place in a serious opera and short arias that eschewed the da capo structure prevalent in the Baroque. Today, those same elements make Serse one of Handel's most frequently staged works and are considered evidence of a progressive streak that foreshadows the comic operas mastered by Mozart half a century later. Note: General social distancing guidelines will be encouraged. For the safety of our audience, the theatre will not be at full capacity. We encourage unvaccinated audience members to wear a mask.