AllMovie

Under the direction of conductor Charles Mackerras, the Orchestra and Chorus of the English National Opera performs this 1988 production of Handel's Xerxes. In the Persian Empire in 475 B.C., Emperor Xerxes I (Ann Murray) and his brother Arsamenes (Christopher Robson) are both in love with Romilda (Valerie Masterson), while she and her sister Atalanta (Lesley Garrett) are both in love with Arsamene. Meanwhile, Xerxes rejects Amastris (Jean Rigby) even though he was betrothed to her, so she goes undercover in disguise and seeks her revenge. Original Italian dialogue is performed in English.