Handel: Xerxes (Serse)
Synopsis
Xerxes is one of Handel’s latest and most frequently performed operas, famous for its marvelous opening aria ‘Ombra mai fu’. At the centre of the confusing tragicomedy, very loosely based upon the life of Xerxes I of Persia, is a powerful and lovesick royal eccentric, King Xerxes. Rising opera star Gaëlle Arquez in the title role of Xerxes ‘scintillates with her nimble, luminous mezzo-soprano’, singing ‘irresistibly beautiful, impassioned, furious – but never mean’ (Frankfurter Rundschau). Frankfurt’s excellent Opera and Museum Orchester contributes ‘all sorts of refinements’ to this ‘musical smash hit’ (Deutschlandfunk) and ‘In Frankfurt Tilman Köhler ensures a three-hour short abundant and furious banquett … a great evening of opera’ (Deutschlandfunk).
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Tiziano Mancini
- Screenplay & Story
- Francesco Cavalli, Nicolò Minato
- Original Score
- Georg Friedrich Händel
- Original Title
- Handel: Xerxes (Serse)
- Spoken Languages
- Italian
- Runtime
- 3h 0m
- Production Studios
- Unitel
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tiziano Mancini
Francesco Cavalli, Nicolò Minato
Georg Friedrich Händel
Department Leadership Roster
Tiziano Mancini
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Handel: Xerxes (Serse).
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Frequently Asked Questions About Handel: Xerxes (Serse)
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Handel: Xerxes (Serse) about?
Xerxes is one of Handel’s latest and most frequently performed operas, famous for its marvelous opening aria ‘Ombra mai fu’. At the centre of the confusing tragicomedy, very loosely based upon the life of Xerxes I of Persia, is a powerful and lovesick royal eccentric, King Xerxes. Rising opera star Gaëlle Arquez in the title role of Xerxes ‘scintillates with her nimble, luminous mezzo-soprano’, singing ‘irresistibly beautiful, impassioned, furious – but never mean’ (Frankfurter Rundschau). Frankfurt’s excellent Opera and Museum Orchester contributes ‘all sorts of refinements’ to this ‘musical smash hit’ (Deutschlandfunk) and ‘In Frankfurt Tilman Köhler ensures a three-hour short abundant and furious banquett … a great evening of opera’ (Deutschlandfunk).
Who directed Handel: Xerxes (Serse)?
Handel: Xerxes (Serse) was directed by Tiziano Mancini.
Who stars in Handel: Xerxes (Serse)?
The principal cast of Handel: Xerxes (Serse) includes Louise Alder, Gaëlle Arquez, Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, Brandon Cedel, Thomas Faulkner.
When was Handel: Xerxes (Serse) released and how long is it?
Handel: Xerxes (Serse) was released in 2018 with a total runtime of 3h 0m.
Who composed the musical score for Handel: Xerxes (Serse)?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Handel: Xerxes (Serse) was composed by Georg Friedrich Händel.