Giulio Cesare

First printed edition, 1724

Giulio Cesare in Egitto (English: Julius Caesar in Egypt) is an opera in three acts. It was composed by George Frideric Handel for the Royal Academy of Music. The libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym. It was based on an earlier libretto written by Giacomo Francesco Bussani. The opera was first performed in London on 20 February 1724. It was a success. It was performed again in 1725, 1730, and 1732. It was also performed in France and Germany. Giulio Cesare was not performed in the 19th century. Many people had forgotten all about it. It was not until 1922 that the opera was performed again. Since then, it has been performed around the world. It is Handel's best opera. It is known simply as Giulio Cesare.

Roles

• Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar) - alto castrato
• Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt - soprano
• Tolomeo, her brother and husband, King of Egypt - alto castrato
• Cornelia, widow of Pompey - contralto
• Sesto, her stepson - soprano
• Achilla, Tolomeo's General - bass
• Curio, a praetor, Caesar's General - bass
• Nireno, Cleopatra's and Tolomeo's servant - alto castrato

Other websites

• Aria Database - Giulio Cesare arias and operatic roles database
• Metropolitan Opera Broadcast: Giulio Cesare
• Opera Today - Giulio Cesare Libretto
• Giulio Cesare, Opera in Three Acts at the Internet Movie Database. Filmed at Glyndebourne Opera House in East Sussex, England. Opus Arte DVD, released 01/04/2006, contains behind the scenes extras.