HANDEL : GIULIO CESARE

HANDEL'S JULIUS CAESAR

Radio New Zealand Concert network
Sunday 25th of  May2013 at 3 -8 pm
Sunday 17th ofAugust 2008 at 3 - 6.15 pm

HANDEL: Giulio Cesare, an opera in three acts
Handel's fifth full-length opera for the Royal Academy of Music was his most sumptuous up to that point. It's a largely fictional look at the events that happened when Caesar visited Egypt in 48-47 BCE, in pursuit of his rival Pompey. It's there he meets the seductive Cleopatra in all her "infinite variety"
Giulio Cesare............... David Daniels
Cleopatra..................... Natalie Dessay
Tolomeo....................... Christophe Dumaux
Cornelia....................... Patricia Bardon
Sesto............................ Alice Coote
Achilla......................... Guido Loconsolo
Curio............................ John Moore
Nireno.......................... Rachid Ben Abdeslam
Metropolitan Opera Chorus & Orch/Harry Bicket

INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
SYNOPSIS
REVIEW (NYT)
REVIEW (photos)
LIBRETTO (Italian)

Wagner is the one who is accused of writing interminably long operas, but this three-act opera of Handel can last four hours, not counting the intervals. In 2007 RNZC allotted 3 pm till 7.20 pm to fit it in, but that included interviews and things between acts. In 2008 the time allowed is 3.3 till 6.15. In 2013 the NY Metropera went till 8 pm (some cuts restored? longer intervals?) It has a dozen scenes, a short overture, and some memorable arias for Cleopatra and Caesar himself (or herself, when it is Janet Baker taking the part).

In the original cast, the roles of Cesare (Caesar), Tolomeo (Ptolemy), and Nireno (Nirenus) were sung by castrati, but the male role of young hothead Sesto was sung by a female soprano.
Since the 1950s, parts originally written for castrati have often been taken on by countertenors (male altos). In the Metropolitan Opera’s 2007 production, the roles of Giulio Cesare and Tolomeo were sung by countertenors David Daniels and Lawrence Zazzo. Ruth Ann Swenson had the role of Cleopatra. In the 2008 Lausanne performance, Andreas Scholl is Big Juliy. In 2013 it is DD again

The full name of this work is Julius Caesar in Egypt, and it concerns Caesar's adventures with Cleopatra. The drama begins in 48 BCE, and there are severed heads, attempted suicides, and Caesar escaping death by swimming across the harbour of Alexandria.

It was first performed in London in 1724, and favourably received.

The most memorable aria is sung by Cleopatra in Act 3, Piangero, "I shall weep". She has been told that Caesar has perished, and she mourns the loss of her lover in this plaintive lament, with a fast and furious vow of revenge in the middle. And then Caesar comes in, dripping wet if the action is realistic, and, after he has bemoaned his own situation at great length, he communicates briefly with Cleopatra; but they move on to a regal ceremony at the port, where they finally have their love duet: Caro (Dearest), Bella (Fairest). And the chorus members are herded out of their backstage gaming rooms to sing as they had at the beginning, Glory to great Caesar.

Sunday 17th of August 2008 

HANDEL: Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera in three acts
Giulio Cesare................ Andreas Scholl
Curio............................ Yannis François
Cornelia........................ Stéphanie d'Oustrac
Sesto............................ Max Emanuel Cencic
Cleopatra...................... Elena de la Merced
Tolomeo....................... Christophe Dumaux
Achilla........................... Riccardo Novaro
Nireno.......................... Florin Cezar-Ouatu
Lausanne CO/Ottavio Dantone
(recorded at Salle Métropole, Lausanne by French Swiss Radio)
New York Metropolitan Opera Broadcast
Radio New Zealand Concert network
Sunday 20th of May 2007 at 3pm 
HISTORY
BACKGROUND
FOREGROUND
ANALYSIS
CHARACTERS
SYNOPSIS
STORYLINE
COMPOSER