from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera
Serse by George Frideric Handel
Libretto: Nicola Minato
Role: Serse, the King of Persia, brother of Arsamene
Voice Part: countertenor Fach: countertenor
Setting: a large brightly lighted salon in Serse's palace, Persia
Synopsis: Serse was planning on marrying Romilda. However, a misunderstanding by Romilda's father causes Romilda to marry her true love Arsamene instead of Serse, who she doesn't really like that much. He then finds that the princess Amastre sent a letter to Romilda's father which has helped to confuse the issue. The interference in his plans arouses Serse's frustration which he explains throughly.