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Handel's Serse

Academy of Ancient Music

,Hall
A pairing of men in boots and stockings

Laurence Cummings directs Academy of Ancient Music and a world-class cast in a concert performance of Serse – Handel’s sensational opera of love and power in ancient Persia. 

Xerxes rules over a vast empire, but the human heart is a lot harder to tame, and sometimes the beauty of a plane tree is the only constant in a dangerous world. Created to astonish London audiences in 1738, Handel’s opera Serse is an epic of love, war and civil engineering - and its hit aria 'Ombra mai fu' is one of those melodies that you simply never forget.

This concert performance puts Handel’s music centre stage. Laurence Cummings conducts a team of the world’s leading Handel interpreters, while AAM brings out all the colour, splendour and invention of this gorgeous score. ‘Sumptuous’ was how one critic described AAM’s Barbican performance of Handel’s Orlando in 2024, so expect to be dazzled, astonished – and stirred.

Tagged with: Classical music Young Barbican Academy of Ancient Music Multibuy 2025/26 More...

Promoted by Academy of Ancient Music

Programme

  • George Frederic Handel   Serse

Performers

  • Academy of Ancient Music  
  • Laurence Cummings   director & harpsichord
  • Paula Murrihy   Serse
  • Louise Alder   Romilda
  • Rachel Redmond   Atalanta
  • Rebecca Leggett   Arsamene
  • Claudia Huckle   Amastre
  • Luca Tittoto   Ariodate
  • Thomas Chenhall   Elviro

Ticket prices

Standard
From £18 *
* Excludes £4 booking fee

Booking fees

£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction. 

No fee when tickets are booked in person.

Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.

Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.