Serse (English: Xerxes) is an opera seria in three acts with music by George Frideric Handel. The Italian libretto was written by Silvio Stampiglia. The opera was first performed in London on 15 April 1738. The opera was a failure. It closed after only five performances. The first aria in the opera, "Ombra mai fu", is very famous. It is sometimes known as "Handel's Largo".