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XERXES
Reviews from past productions:
“The music is of the highest Handelian caliber – noble, sublime and technically brilliant. An outstanding company of soloists and instrumental ensemble get high marks for making “Xerxes’ one of the season’s unforgettable evenings.”
- San Francisco Chronicle
“What other city in the United States offers so many of Handel’s excellent operas on such a regular basis? None, to my knowledge. But then no other city has Donald Pippin and his Pocket Opera”
- Peninsula Times-Tribune
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An exclusive view into the private life of Xerxes, king of Persia (currently known as Iran), leader of an ill-fated invasion of Greece, and a man to whom you say no at your own risk. After a brief glimpse of the beautiful Romilda, he has fallen passionately in love. Because it is far beneath the dignity of a king to do his own wooing, he hits upon his brother to be his spokesman--an unfortunate choice, since his brother is already secretly engaged to the lady. To complicate matters, Romilda's sister is in love with this same brother, and has no scruple about doing what it takes to get him for herself. A further complication ensues when Xerxes' fiancée arrives on the scene determined to find out what is going on. Xerxes clearly has more important things to think about than how to win a war.
Handel in a lighter than usual vein, inspired as always. With Elspeth Franks, Aimee Puentes, Karen Carle, and others.
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PERFORMER: Karen Carle |
PERFORMER: Elspeth Franks |
PERFORMER: Aimee Puentes |
