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GIULIO CESARE (Giulio Cesare in Egitto / Julius Caesar in Egypt) By George Frideric Handel Opera in three acts, HWV 17
(3h 15m) Libretto by Nicola
Francesco Haym, after Giacomo Francesco Bussani’s Giulio Ce.we in Egitto set by Sartono (1677) and a
1685 version of the same libretto Composed 1723-4 PREMIERES 20 February 1724,
King’s Theatre, Hayunarkct, London; US: 14 May 1fl7.
Smith College. Northampton, Massachusetts CAST Giulio Cesare a
(castrato), Cleopatra s, Corneia a, Sesto Pompeo s, Tolomeo a
(castrato), Achilla b, Nireno a (castrato), Curio b; satb
chorus of Egyptians, conspirators ORCHESTRATION
fl,2rec,2ob,2bsn,4hn,str(vnsdivssid 3), coin; onstage: ob, 2
vii, via, hp, vg, theorbo, ban, vc SYNOPSIS Cesare has defeated Pompeo
at Pharsalia in Greece, and pursued him to Egypt: the events forming the
historical basis for the action took place 18—17 BC. Act I Cesare is welcomed by the
Egyptians. He has agreed to an appeal by Pompeo’s wife and son (Corneia and
Sesto) for a peaceful settlement. When gifts arrive, brought by Achilla on
behalf of Tolomeo (who is joint ruler of Egypt with his sister Cleopatra),
among them is the severed head of Pompeo. Cesare sends Achilla back with a
message of contempt and disgust. Cornelia tries to kill herself, then faces
an unwelcome proposal of marriage from Curio, the Roman tribune. Sesto swears
to avenge his father’s murder. Meanwhile Cleopatra, horrified to hear of
Pompeo’s murder, decides to seek an affiance with Cesare against her brother.
On Tolomeo’s arrival Achilla reports Cesare’s reaction to the gifts and
promises to kill Cesare, provided he can claim Corneia as his reward. Cesare
reflects on the transitoriness of human greatness. Cleopatra, in the guise of
‘Lidia’, a noble Egyptian maiden whose fortune has been stolen by Tolomeo,
enters and appeals to Cesare for justice. He promises redress, captivated by
her beauty. Cornelia pays her last respects to her husband’s ashes and
snatches his sword from the trophies, crying vengeance on Tolomeo; but Sesto
seizes the sword and determines to take the task on himself. Tolomeo invites
Cesare to occupy the royal apartments that have been prepared for him; Cesare
recognizes that he must be cautious (‘Va tacito e nascosto’). Sesto
challenges Tolomeo to a duel: Tolomeo orders Sesto’s arrest and consigns
Cornelia to work in the garden of the seraglio. Achula offers to secure the
release of Cornelia and her son if she will consept to marry him, but she
rejects the idea with contempt. Act II Cleopatra has arranged an
elaborate set piece for the seduction of Cesare (‘V’adoro pupille’). It works
as planned, and Cesare is promised an assignation with ‘Lidia’, who will
introduce him to Cleopatra. Cornelia, in the seragilo garden, repels advances
from Achilla and Tolomeo; she threatens suicide but is restrained by Sesto.
Cleopatra’s eunuch, Nireno, brings Tolomeo’s order that Cornelia be taken
tQthe harem. Cleopatra waits for Cesare in another garden. After some
flirtation, the pair are interrupted by Curio, who tells Cesare that he is
betrayed and people are calling for his murder. Cleopatra reveals her true
identity, and says that her royal presence will quell the tumult: but she
fails, and urges Cesare to leave. He refuses, and goes to face his
assailants. Cleopatra asks the gods to preserve him and to have pity on her
(‘Se pietà di me non senti’). In the seraglio, Tolomeo indicates that Corneia
is his choice. Sesto enters and snatches Tolomeo’s sword from the table, but
Achilla appears and takes it from him. Achilla tells Tolomeo to prepare for
war: Cesare is believed drowned, and Cleopatra has fled to the Romans, who
are mustering against Tolomeo. Tolomeo dismisses Achilla as a traitor when
the latter reminds him that Corneia had been promised as his reward for
killing Cesare, and then departs expecting a quick victory over the Romans.
Sesto attempts to stab himself, but is restrained by his mother he renews his
vengeance against Tolomeo. Act III Achilla, exasperated by
Tolomeo’s broken promise, leads his soldiers to join Cleopatra. In the
ensuing battle, Tolomeo’s forces are victorious, and Cleopatra is taken
prisoner. Alone, and mourning for Cesare, she bewails her fate (‘Piangero Ia
sorte mia’): she is led away. But Cesare is not dead: he appears, having
escaped drowning by swimming from the harbour. He has lost contact with his
troops and prays for help (‘Aure, deh, per pietà’). Achilla, mortally
wounded, gives Sesto a seal that will guarantee the loyalty of his troops and
tells him of a secret passageway to Tolomeo’s palace. Cesare witnesses the
scene, takes the seal from Sesto, and hurries off to assemble his forces. As
Cleopatra bids her friends farewell Cesare appears with his soldiers to
rescue her. Cesare and Cleopatra are reunited. In the ‘Royal Hall’, Cornelia
once again has to repel Tolomeo’s attentions: she draws a dagger, and is
about to attack him when Sesto enters with drawn sword and claims the right
of revenge. In the ensuing duel, Tolomeo is killed. At the port of
Alexandria, Cesare and Cleopatra welcome Corneia and Sesto as friends and
proclaim their own undying love: everyone celebrates the return of peace. RECORDINGS 1. Masterson,
Baker, Walker, Jones, Bowman, Tomlinson, Ch and 0 of English National Opera,
Mackerras, HMV, 1974 (in English): English version with modem instruments,
from the ENO production; 2. Schlick, Larmore, Rørholm, Ragin, Fink, Zanasi,
Concerto Kdln Jacobs, Harinonia Mundi, 1991: in Italian with period
instruments VIDEO ENO production (as
above) EDITION HG, vol 68 Viking Opera Guide |