The powerful ruler and military commander Julius Caesar is on a war campaign to Egypt when he meets the 19-year-old Cleopatra and falls in love. In her desire to rule Egypt, Cleopatra decides to seduce the enemy who tries to conquer her land, and claim the throne with the help of Caesar. The plan seems perfect but it has a fatal flaw. She did not plan on falling in love. In the turmoil of war, intrigues and chaos, Cleopatra and Caesar develop deep feelings for each other.
Written in 1724, this opera by G. F. Handel is considered a pearl among Baroque operas that has withstood the test of time and is frequently produced in major opera houses even today. This is the first production of Julius Caesar at the Vanemuine Theatre. Premiere of this production took place on November 4th 2023 at the Vanemuine Theatre Small Building.
Language: Italian
Surtitles: Latvian, English
Composer George Frideric Handel
Librettist Nicola Francesco Haym
Musical director and conductor Risto Joost
Conductor Aleksandr Bražnik
Director Elmo Nüganen
Set designer Kristjan Suits
Costume designer Kristine Pasternaka
Movement director Janek Savolainen
Lighting designer Rene Liivamägi
Director’s assistant Merle Jalakas
Repetitor-Concertmasters Piia Paemurru, Toomas Kaldaru
Concertmasters Piia Paemurru, Ele Sonn
Head chorusmaster Aleksandr Bražnik
Chorusmaster Kristi Jagodin
Chorus concertmaster Stefano Chiurchiú
The events take place in Egypt, 48–47 BC
Act I
Julius Caesar has achieved victory over the troops of his political rival Pompey. Upon his arrival to Alexandria, Caesar encounters Pompey’s wife Cornelia and his son Sesto. They plead mercy for Pompey. Caesar agrees to spare Pompey on the condition that he pleads for mercy himself. The general Achillas brings to Caesar the head of Pompey, a gesture of support from the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy, who shares the throne with his sister Cleopatra. Caesar considers it a severe violation of the Roman code of honour. Sesto realises he must avenge his father.
Cleopatra plans to seduce Caesar in order to guarantee his help in usurping the throne from her brother and thus becoming the sole ruler of Egypt. Ptolemy learns from Achillas of Caesar’s fury at Pompey’s murder. A disguised Cleopatra approaches Caesar and introduces herself as Lydia. Caesar is charmed by her beauty. Cornelia and Sesto plot Ptolemy’s murder. Cleopatra vows to help them and orders her servant Nireno to take them to the palace.
Ptolemy is enthralled by Cornelia’s beauty. She has also captured the interest of Achillas, to whom Ptolemy has promised her as reward for killing Caesar. Sesto challenges Ptolemy to a duel but is arrested. Achillas is willing to help Sesto, provided that Cornelia accepts his advances. Cornelia refuses.
Intermission
Act II
Cleopatra puts on a performance at her palace. As per her plan, Caesar happens to watch it. She has still not revealed her identity to him.
Cornelia is Ptolemy’s prisoner. Achillas asks for Cornelia’s hand once more but she refuses. When Achillas leaves, Ptolemy tries his luck with her but Cornelia rejects him too. Sesto has escaped from imprisonment. He arrives to stop Cornelia from committing suicide and vows to get revenge on Ptolemy.
The sounds of battle reach Cleopatra’s palace – this is Ptolemy’s ploy for killing Caesar. Now, Cleopatra reveals her true identity to Caesar. Although she begs Caesar to flee, he decides to stay and fight.
Act III
Sesto invades Ptolemy’s harem and attacks him. The fight is interrupted by Achillas’s arrival. Allegedly, Caesar has jumped into sea when fleeing the soldiers and died. Achillas has therefore fulfilled his promise regarding Caesar’s death and demands his reward from Ptolemy. Ptolemy refuses to give him Cornelia. Achillas betrays him in favour of Cleopatra.
Ptolemy and Cleopatra’s troops are in battle. Soon, Cleopatra must admit defeat and is imprisoned.
Caesar has been washed ashore; he is alive after all. He forces his way in the palace and frees Cleopatra. Ptolemy, sure in his victory, attempts to rape Cornelia. Sesto appears and kills him in a duel.
Triumphant, Caesar and Cleopatra arrive in Alexandria. Caesar declares Cleopatra Queen of Egypt and promises to offer Rome’s protection to Egypt, should it be needed. In their view, people should be rejoicing as peace should be restored.
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