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Programme Note

SYNOPSIS

Xerxes loves Romilda although he is betrothed to a foreign princess called Amastris. Romilda is in love with Arsamenes, Xerxes’ brother. Romilda’s sister, Atalanta, is jealous of Arsamenes’s affection and persuades her sister he in fact loves her. Amastris arrives disguised as a man. Xerxes’ advances to Romilda are finally only prevented by Amastris’ intervention. Romilda and Arsamenes discover Atalanta’s schemes to separate them. Romilda is intimidated into consenting to marry Xerxes. She delays him by casting doubt on her virtue, infuriating the king, who orders his brother’s death. Arsamenes marries Romilda in a hurry. Xerxes orders Arsamenes to kill his wife, but Amastris reveals her identity. The king is forced to agree to marry her.