SERSE
George Frideric Handel
Event details
11 June - 17 July 2027
Handel wrote Serse for a London audience who were initially confused by its daring blend of comedy and tragedy. The music is an unstoppable outpouring of inspiration from the very start when Serse, an impossibly vainglorious and volatile character, goes into raptures over the beauty of a tree, which he addresses in seductively loving tones. He is more severe with Romilda, the woman he becomes besotted with, and Amastre, the woman he is engaged to marry but whom he nonchalantly rejects. Passions run high but, ultimately, the tangled web of disguise and trickery, and romantic trials and tribulations are resolved, with true love winning through, at least for some.
Making their Garsington debuts, we are delighted to welcome acclaimed director Erica Whyman and conductor David Bates, with The English Concert. The cast is led by Niamh O’Sullivan, who delighted audiences last summer as Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, and Lucy Crowe, who was captivating in the title role of Rodelinda in 2025.
Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Booking Information
Priority booking is now open and members are invited to request tickets in line with the allocation deadlines below.
Ingrams Circle, Constellation and Patron deadline Tuesday 24 November 2026
Special Friend and Friend deadline Tuesday 12 January 2027
Affiliate Member booking opens from 10am on Tuesday 2 March 2027
Opus 40 Club booking opens from 10am on Tuesday 16 March 2027
Public booking opens from 10am on Tuesday 30 March 2027
Start time: 5.25pm
11 June - 17 July 2027
11 June - 17 July 2027
Cast & Creative Team
Cast
Serse
Niamh O’Sullivan
Romilda
Lucy Crowe
Arsamene
Jake Arditti
Amastre
Lucile Richardot
Atalanta
Alexandra Oomens
Ariodate
Henry Waddington
Elviro
Emyr Wyn Jones
Creative Team
Conductor
David Bates
Director
Erica Whyman
Designer
Tom Piper
Lighting Designer
Lizzie Powell
Movement Director
