Ombra mai fu (Serse), HWV 40
by George Frideric Handel
Voice (Countertenor/Mezzo-Soprano)BaroqueAria~3 minintermediate
The opening aria of Handel's opera Serse (Xerxes), commonly known as "Handel's Largo." King Xerxes addresses the shade of a plane tree with tender affection. Despite its serene beauty, the aria was originally semi-comic in context. It has become one of the most frequently performed Baroque arias and is widely arranged for instruments.
Editions
Bärenreiter
Rudolf Steglich, 1958
Hallische Händel-Ausgabe critical edition. The scholarly standard for Handel operas.
★★★★★
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Novello
Chrysander reprint, 1880
Based on the Chrysander collected edition. Widely available and still commonly used.
★★★★★
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G. Schirmer
Anthology edition, 1950
Available in the Schirmer anthology of Baroque arias in multiple keys.
★★★★★
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