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HANDEL: SERSE
Soloists: Anne Sophie von Otter, Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, Sandrine Piau, Lawrence Zazzo; Les Arts Florissants Chorus & Orchestra. Conductor: William Christie Virgin Classics
****

Serse, premiered in 1738, was Handel's last opera composed for the King's Theatre in London. Its opening aria, Ombra mai fu (commonly but erroneously known as Handel's Largo) is one of his most loved, and the rest of the opera has considerably greater dramatic and emotional content than the usual opera seria of the time. This is probably the reason for its popularity in modern times relative to other contemporary compositions, and this performance by Les Arts Florissants brings out the dramatic strength of the work, born out by the occasional audience laughter during this live performance (at the Theatre des Champs Elysees, Paris, in November 2003). While the main singers, Von Otter and Norberg-Schulz, are variable, the secondary roles are very well sung. All in all, a gripping performance of a fine work. www.virginclassics.com
Colman Morrissey