GIULIO CESARE IN EGITTO

In the organizer's words:

Power, love and intrigue reign in ancient Egypt, as three ruling houses are entangled in the country's political differences: After the defeat of Giulio Cesare, his adversary Pompeo has fled to Egypt with his wife Cornelia and his son Sesto. But King Tolomeo immediately has Pompeo murdered in order to hand over Pompeo's head to Cesare on his arrival. But the "gift" fails to have the desired effect: Cesare is dismayed by so much deceit. Cornelia and Sesto swear revenge on Tolomeo. Cleopatra, Tolomeo's sister, also tries to win Cesare over. Tolomeo's power threatens to crumble and the battle for the throne takes its course ...

George Frideric Handel was at the height of his success when he began work on "Giulio Cesare" in 1723. His librettist Nicola Francesco Haym adapted a frequently set text by Giacomo Francesco Bussani. The composition was completed nine months later - a very long period of work for Handel. The premiere at the King's Theatre in London's Haymarket on February 20, 1724 was one of the greatest triumphs of his life.

With his melodic and emotional musical language, Handel was far ahead of his time. The multifaceted nature of the arias with which the composer expresses the different character traits of the protagonists is almost unique in Baroque opera. Giulio Cesare is both lover and hero, while Cleopatra transforms from a self-confident young woman into a mature ruler.

With director Vincent Boussard, a true baroque specialist has been won over for "Giulio Cesare", who, after successes such as "Radamisto" at the Theater an der Wien or "Ezio" at the Frankfurt Opera, is now bringing Handel's musical fireworks to the stage in Cologne. The conductor Rubén Dubrovsky, who also has an affinity for baroque music, will be in charge of the musical direction.