Giulio Cesare, Opera - Opéra - PARIS

Seduction and lamentation.

Handel was inspired by the fascinating figure of Cleopatra to compose one of his most ambitious and brilliant operas. Created in London in 1723 by the Royal Academy of Music, Giulio Cesare in Egitto was written for the greatest singers of the era: Senesino, Francesca Cuzzoni or Margherita Durastanti.
The composer's sense of theatre was never as keen as in this work where he mixes genres with finesse. His melodic genius was never so radiant with the score featuring some of his finest arias, especially those for Cleopatra, alternately songs of seduction and lamentation. His orchestral music was never so rich and expressive.