Name: Giulio Cesare in Egitto
Start: 1984-08-01T00:00:00.000Z
End: 1984-08-01T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Arts Theatre

Organization

Conductor

Mark Elder

Charles Mackerras

Assistant Conductor

Noel Davies

Sound designer

John Pascoe

Costume designer

Michael Stennett

Lighting designer

Robert Bryan

Set designer

Stage director

Countertenor

Dame Janet Baker

Julius Caesar

Contralto

Sarah Walker

Cornelia

Soprano

Valerie Masterson

Cleopatra

James Bowman

Tolomeo

Bass

John Tomlinson

Achilla

John Kitchiner

Curio

Tom Emlyn Williams

Nireno

Della Jones

Sesto

Singer

Brian Casey

Pothinus

English National Opera

Others

The English National Opera Chorus

Orchestra

English National Opera Orchestra

Giulio Cesare in Egitto -  (Julius Caesar in Egypt)

London

United Kingdom

Arts Theatre

The most famous opera composed by Handel, Giulio Cesare, presented by the English National Opera in a 1984 production, with opera stars Dame Janet Baker and Valerie Masterson in a somptuous staging.

In 48 a.C., just after he won his battle against Pompey the Great, Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar) is about to restore the peace with his ennemy. However Tolomeo (Ptolemy) brings him on a tray Pompeo's head as a gift... Horrified, the young Sextus, son of Pompeo and Cornelia, swears he would revenge his father's death, at the same time a terrible fight for power begins between Ptolemy and her sister Cleopatra who share the Egyptian throne. Cleopatra tries to seduce Caesar in order to forestall Ptolemy. Defeated a first time by her brother, she is rescued by Caesar with whom she falls in love. Sextus finally manages to revenge his father in killing Ptolemy, as for Caesar and Cleopatra, they sing their love and receive Ptolemy's royal insignas.

Dame Janet Baker, who plays Giulio Cesare, gives a highly dramatic performance of this role, with her mezzo-soprano sensual and a deep voice. Valerie Masterson, who perfectly masters the trills, makes a deeply moving performance of a passionate Cleopatra, as for Della Jones, one of the most sought-after mezzo-soprano of her generation, remarkably performs a tormented Sextus, determined to get his revenge.

The staging is rather traditional, but the gorgeous costumes and the scenery are marked by a subtile mix between antique and baroque styles. It leads us in ancient Egypt but still keeps a baroque delicacy that reminds us of the context in which Handel composed this opera, premiered at the King's théâtre Haymarket in London in 1724.

Giulio Cesare in Egitto

Public

Julius Caesar in Egypt

Approved

Instrumentalist

Pianist

Violinist

Cellist

Violist

Flutist

Clarinetist

Guitarist

Organist

Percussionist

Oboist

hornist

Bassoonist

Trumpeter

Contrabassist

Harper

Saxophonist

Trombonist

Harpsichordist

Bassist

Accordionist

Tuba Player

Recorder Player

Lutenist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Mandoline Player

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Violino Piccolo Player

Viola da gamba

Musette de cour Player

Viola Pomposa Player

Archlutenist

Vibraphonist

Cornettist

Viola d’amore Player

Theorbist

Composer

Librettist

Choreographer

Dancer

Actor

Chorus master

Video designer

Dramaturge

Translator

Repetiteur

Makeup artist

Executive producer

Hairstylist

Other

Stage Manager

Choir

Poet

Vocal coach

Teacher

Photographer

Broadcasting

Writer

Writing and performance

Chorus Director

Wig & Makeup Designer

Orchestra Operations

Illustrator

Extra

Baritone

Tenor

Mezzo-soprano

Bass-baritone

Spoken

Child vocalist

Silent

Alto

Continuo

English

Julius Caesar in Egypt by Händel, From (1984/1984), Directed by John Pascoe,, Conductor Mark Elder, Charles Mackerras, Arts Theatre, London, United Kingdom

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Programme, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues