from Act I of the Italian opera Serse by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Nicola Minato

Role: Romilda, daughter of Ariodate, sister of Atalanta

Voice Part: soprano

Setting: a garden in King Serse's palace, Persia

Synopsis: Romilda sings about the victims of love, comparing them to a little stream which loves its freedom.

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.

from Act I 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 garden in King Serse's palace, Persia

Synopsis: Serse sings to a tree, praising its vast beauties.

from Act III, Scene 1 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: the gallery of Serse's palace, Persia

Synopsis: With Romilda angry at Arsamene, Serse manages to get her to commit to marry him instead of Arsamene. He rejoices, sure of himself and of his own attractiveness.

from Act I 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 garden in King Serse's palace, Persia

Synopsis: Serse has promised his general, Ariodate, that his daughter, Romilda, will marry a member of the royal family. He assumes that it will be he that will marry Romilda and sings of his devotion and love to her.

from Act II 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 square in the city, Persia

Synopsis: An intercepted love letter from Arsamene to Romilda has made its way into Serse's hands. He tells Romilda that the letter is actually going to Atalanta instead of her in hopes that she will give up her love for Arsamene and love him instead. She still stands up for her love with some vehemance, however, and Serse attempts to shake off her strong emotions and not be affected by them.