George Frideric Handel (February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759) composed Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar), a three-act Italian opera seria. Libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym, based on a libretto by Giacomo Francesco Bussani. It was premiered in London, Opera Theater of the Royal Academy of Music, February 20, 1724. The setting is in Egypt, 48 BC.
Notable aria: "V'adoro pupille" (Cleopatra)
Handel's Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar) has all the historical backing of this tragic opera with themes of warfare, passionate love, betrayal, heroic action brought to lyric drama on an epic scale, including arias rendered by both Cesare and Cleopatra. Along with operas Tamerlano and Rodelinda, Giulio Cesare was produced by Handel at the height of his successes while leading the Royal Academy of Music. Giulio Cesare is most often performed among Handel's Baroque operas.
Character Roles of Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar)
- Giulio Cesare, Roman Emperor (mezzo, contralto, or bass baritone)
- Cornelia, Wife of Pompeo (contralto)
- Sesto Pompeo, Son of Pompeo (mezzo or tenor)
- Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt (soprano)
- Curio, Roman Tribune (bass)
- Achilla, In service to Tolomeo (bass)
- Nireno, Eunuch to Cleopatra (alto or bass)
- Tolomeo, Half-brother to Cleopatra (alto, countertenor or bass)
Plot Summary / Synopses of Giulio Cesare
Overture.
Act 1.
(Scenes 1-4: Egyptian countryside with a bridge over the Nile)
Having defeated Pompeo's army at Pharsalia, Cesare chases Pompeo to Egypt. Pompeo's son, Sesto, and his wife, Cornelia, asks for peace which Cesare grants. Cesare is horrified when Achilla, commander of the Egytian army, presents him Pompeo's severed head. Cornelia wants to kill herself but Curio prevents her, admitting he loves her. Sesto swears revenge against the Egyptian King Tolomeo who betrayed his father.
(Scenes 5-6: A room in Cleopatra's palace)
Cleopatra plans to rule in place of her half-brother Tolomeo. Achilla agrees to arrange Cesare's death for Tolomeo in return for Cornelia's hand.
(Scenes 7-8: Quarters in Cesare's camp)
Cleopatra presents herself to Cesare under a different identity, as 'Lydia. She wins his heart. She also agrees to help Sesto assassinate Tolomeo.
(Scenes 9-11: In the palace of the Ptolemies)
Cesare greets Tolomeo. Tolomeo has Sesto arrested and Cornelia put in the harem.
Act 2.
(Scenes 1-2: A grove of cedars before Mount Parnassus)
Cleopatra tells Nireno to bring Cesare to her. Cesare hurries off to Cleopatra.
(Scenes 3-6: The harem garden)
Cornelia flees Achilla's proposals and also rejects Tolomeo. Nireno frees Sesto. He leads him to the harem where Sesto can ambush Tolomeo.
(Scenes 7-8: The palace pleasure garden)
In the palace garden, Cesare sees Cleopatra sleeping, Curio warns him of the plot against his life. Cleopatra wakes up and reveals her true identity.
(Scenes 9-11: A room in the harem)
In the harem, Sesto attacks Tolomeo but is disarmed by Achilla who announces Cesare's death and Cleopatra's revolt. He demands Cornelia's hand but Tolomeo rebukes him.
Act 3.
(Scenes 1-5: A harbor near Alexandria)
Tolomeo's army is victorious and Cleopatra is captured. Cleopatra laments. Cesare lives. Achilla, mortally wounded, gives him his seal to help him get into the palace to kill Tolomeo. Before dying, he confesses that the assassination of Pompeo was his idea.
(Scene 6: Cleopatra's apartments)
Cesare rescues Cleopatra.
(Scenes 7-8: A royal hall)
Cornelia draws a dagger on Tolomeo. However, Sesto, slays him first.
(Scene 9: The harbor)
Cleopatra becomes queen. Cesare and Cleopatra rejoice in their love.
Sources:
Opera by Alan Riding and L.D. Downer, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2006
Opera, András Batta, Editor-in-Chief. Cologne: Könemann, 1999
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, 1997
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