[PDF] HÄNDEL XERXES— Om bra mai fù, 1783 BILL HALEY Rock

What Aria does Handel sing?

The opening aria, "Ombra mai fu", sung by Xerxes to a plane tree ( Platanus orientalis ), is set to one of Handel's best-known melodies, and is often known as Handel's "Largo" (despite being marked "larghetto" in the score). In late 1737 the King's Theatre, London, commissioned Handel to write two new operas.

Is Handel's Xerxes a good opera?

It's known as Handel's Largo, despite being marked larghetto in the score. Sadly, other than a few well-loved arias, Handel's operas aren't as popular as his other works. Xerxes was his 35th foray into the genre, following other more successful works including Il pastor fido from 1712, Giulio Cesare from 1724, and Alcina in 1735.

Which aria is sung by Xerxes to a tree?

The opening aria, "Ombra mai fu", sung by Xerxes to a tree (Platanus orientalis), is set to one of Handel's best-known melodies, and is often played in an orchestral arrangement, known as Handel's "largo" (despite being marked "larghetto" in the score). Listen!

Who wrote Xerxes?

Serse ( Italian pronunciation: [?s?rse]; English title: Xerxes; HWV 40) is an opera seria in three acts by George Frideric Handel. It was first performed in London on 15 April 1738. The Italian libretto was adapted by an unknown hand from that by Silvio Stampiglia (1664–1725) for an earlier opera of the same name by Giovanni Bononcini in 1694.