Opera in three acts by Georg Frideric Handel

Conductor  WILLIAM CHRISTIE
Libretto by NICOLA FRANCESCO HAYM
after Giacomo Francesco Bussani’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto
 
Giulio Cesare  SARAH CONNOLLY
Curio  ALEXANDER ASHWORTH
Cornelia  PATRICIA BARDON
Sesto  ANGELIKA KIRCHSCHLAGER
Cleopatra  DANIELLE DE NIESE
Nireno  RACHID BEN ABDESLAM
Tolomeo  CHRISTOPHE DUMAUX
Achilla  CHRISTOPHER MALTMAN

The triumphant sensation of the 2005 Festival, David McVicar’s acclaimed production of Handel’s grandest opera returns again, by popular demand, to mark Glyndebourne’s contribution to the composer’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Drawing inspiration equally from the British Raj and Bollywood, McVicar’s flamboyantly slick and sexy song-and-dance staging veers expertly between black comedy and heartbreaking tragedy as Handel’s sumptuous score pours out some of his most exquisitely fashioned, emotionally affecting and sheerly exciting arias.

A powerful cast is led by the two stars of the original staging mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as the imperious Roman general and soprano Danielle de Niese as the irrepressibly coquettish Cleopatra, ever ready to render unto Cesare whatever it takes to gain control of her kingdom.

ACT II
In the palace, with Nireno’s help Cleopatra has arranged an entertainment calculated to ensnare further the interest of Cesare. Lured by Nireno, he duly arrives and is enchanted by her song. Nireno assures him that the supposed Lidia is deeply attracted and will wait for him later that night in her apartment. Cornelia, now a prisoner of Tolomeo, laments her fate. She repulses Achilla once more, only to be met by the advances of Tolomeo himself. She resolves to take her own life, but is saved by Sesto who has escaped from his prison with the aid of Nireno, who also brings the news that Tolomeo has commanded she become one of his concubines. He will help to smuggle Sesto into the harem as well, where, unguarded, the king will be at his most vulnerable.

In her apartment, Cleopatra waits for Cesare, pretending to be asleep when he enters. The lovers’ tryst is interrupted by Curio, who has overheard Achilla’s assassins searching the palace for Cesare. Cleopatra reveals her true identity to Cesare and begs him to fly to safety. Cesare refuses and goes to face his enemy. Cleopatra prays to the gods to preserve him and the love she now truly feels for him.

ACT III
Tolomeo, secure in his harem, lays aside his arms. He throws a white veil to Cornelia in token that she is to be his that night. Sesto steals in and tries to use Tolomeo’s sword to kill him but is disarmed by Achilla. He summons the king to war; Cesare is believed to have plunged to his death in the harbour during the previous night’s assault, but Cleopatra has fled to the Roman camp and has there mustered an army to march on the palace. Tolomeo prepares to lead his troops, but refuses Achilla the promised reward for Cesare’s death; Cornelia is to be his own prize. A furious Achilla decides to switch his allegiance to Cleopatra.

In the ensuing battle, Tolomeo’s troops are victorious and Cleopatra is taken prisoner. Her brother promises to take a terrible revenge but she faces death with courage.

Cesare, though, is not dead; the sea has cast him up onto the shore. Far from his armies, he prays to the breezes for help. Sesto and Nireno stumble across the wounded Achilla dying on the beach. Overheard by Cesare, he gives Sesto a seal, the sight of which will give the bearer authority to command his troops. As Achilla dies, Cesare takes the seal from Sesto and goes to assemble a force to storm the palace. Sesto finds new hope. Revenge will soon be his.

In prison, Cleopatra has prepared to take her own life. Cesare breaks in with his troops and rescues her. He sends her to the port to rally her armies and leaves to wage war on Tolomeo. Cleopatra rejoices.

Believing himself to be victorious, Tolomeo sees no obstacle to his pursuit of Cornelia, but Sesto at last seizes his chance and kills him.

The battle has been won and Cesare crowns Cleopatra as sole Queen of Egypt. She declares her allegiance to the Roman Empire. The lovers sing and all welcome the arrival of peace.


Director  DAVID MCVICAR
Set Designer  ROBERT JONES
Costume Designer  BRIGITTE REIFFENSTUEL
Lighting Designer  PAULE CONSTABLE
Movement  ANDREW GEORGE
Fight Director  NICHOLAS HALL

Assistant Conductor  LAURENCE CUMMINGS
Senior Coach  SPERANZA SCAPPUCCI
Repetiteur  BENOÎT HARTOIN
Language Coach  RITA DE LETTERIIS
Assistant Director  TITUS HOLLWEG
Staff Director  HANNA GARCIA LANDA
Assistants to the Set Designer  BEC CHIPPENDALE, ALEC EALES

ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Leader   ALISON BURY

THE GLYNDEBOURNE CHORUS
Chorus Master BERNARD MCDONALD
Harpsichord continuo LAURENCE CUMMINGS, BENOÎT HARTOIN
Cello continuo JONATHAN COHEN
Viola da gamba continuo RICHARD TUNNICLIFFE
Bass continuo CHI-CHI NWANOKU
Theorbo continuo ELIZABETH KENNY

Information courtesy of Glyndebourne & David McVicar