Haendel : Jules César en Egypte

Georg Friedrich Haendel (1685-1759) Jules César en Égypte

Opera in three acts based on a libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, after Giacomo Francesco Bussani, premiered in London in 1724.

Performance in Italian with French and English surtitles

Duration: 3h30 including interval

First part: 1h15

Interval

Second part: 1h40

Jules César en Égypte is undoubtedly one of Handel's most beautiful operas, but before being a historical painting, it is above all about love. While in most operas, political conflicts thwart the impulses of the heart and other passions, here it is divergent reasons of state that favour the blossoming and then the affirmation of the tenderest feelings. The librettist takes pleasure in multiplying obstacles on the path of love, and Handel finds the opportunity to respond with some of his most beautiful arias. A team well-versed in this repertoire – and what a team! – is brought together here to brilliantly serve this hymn to love. Sonya Yoncheva wanted to serve the music with the panache and dramatic flair for which she is known: a musical event befitting this queen of baroque singing who embodies Cleopatra with fury, grandeur, and virtuosity!.