Organization

Conductor

Christophe Rousset

Stage director

Michael Hampe

Singer

Soprano

Paula Rasmussen

Xerxes

Ann Hallenberg

Arsamene

Contralto

Patricia Bardon

Amastre

Bass

Marcello Lippi

Ariodate

Isabel Bayrakdarian

Romilda

Sandrine Piau

Atalanta

Matteo Peirone

Elviro

Semperoper Dresden

Orchestra

Les Talens Lyriques

Italian

Dresden

Germany

Serse is perhaps Handel's most intriguing operas. Rediscovered at the 1924 Göttingen Handel Festival, the work soon became one of the composer's most popular operas, surpassed only by Giulio Cesare. Its popularity might in part be due to the incredibly popular aria it contains, Ombra mai fu.

Recordings of the complete opera are rare and this one first presented in Dresden combines a visually strong staging with exceptional cast and ensemble of Baroque specialists.

Production booklet

Further reading