HANDEL: GIULIO CESARE

G. F. Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17
Libretto: Nicola Haym

Here is probably Handel's most successful opera: the heir to L'incoronazione di Poppea in terms of the wickedness of some of its characters, but also the progenitor of certain later Romantic operas! Based on historical figures, this work illustrates many different aspects of the human soul and also has possibly the most sumptuous orchestral textures Handel ever imagined, magnificently highlighted by Lars Ulrik Mortensen and Cocnerto Copenhagen in this production from the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. Francisco Negrin's transposition of the opera into a modern wartime universe and Anthony Baker's refined designs place Andreas Scholl (Giulio Cesare) and the other soloists in an unsettling, twilight atmosphere that is very contemporary.

Cast:
Andreas Scholl - Giulio Cesare
Inger Dam-Jensen - Cleopatra
Randi Stene - Cornelia
Tuva Semmingsen - Sesto
Christopher Robson - Tolomeo
John Lundgren - Curio
Palle Knudsen - Achilla
Michael Maniaci - Nireno
Concerto Copenhagen
Lars Ulrik Mortensen - musical direction
Francesco Negrin - director
John Laursen - assistant director
Anthony Baker - set and costume design
Ana Yepes - choreography
Khalid El Awad - dancer
Allen Hahn - lighting design
Production: Det kgl. Teater
DVD production: Danmarks Radio
Thomas Grimm - producer