Giulio Cesare

Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Julius Caesar in Egypt, HWV 17) is an Italian opera in three acts written by George Frideric Handel in 1724. The libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym. It was first performed in London on February 20, 1724. The opera was an immediate success. Handel revived it (with changes) in 1725, 1730, and 1732; it was also performed in Paris, Hamburg, and Brunswick. Like Handel's other works in the opera seria genre, Giulio C... more

Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Julius Caesar in Egypt, HWV 17) is an Italian opera in three acts written by George Frideric Handel in 1724. The libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym. It was first performed in London on February 20, 1724. The opera was an immediate success. Handel revived it (with changes) in 1725, 1730, and 1732; it was also performed in Paris, Hamburg, and Brunswick. Like Handel's other works in the opera seria genre, Giulio Cesare fell into oblivion in the 19th century. The roles of Cesare and Cleopatra, sung by the castrato Senesino and famous soprano Francesca Cuzzoni respectively, and which encompass eight arias and two recitatives accompagnati each, totally dispose of the vocal capabilities of the singers. Cornelia and Sesto are more static because they are completely taken by their primary emotions, she with pain because of her husband's death and constantly constrained to defend herself from Achilla and Tolomeo, and he consumed by vengeance for his father's... less