Giulio Cesare in Egitto

The acclaimed production by renowned director David McVicar, originally developed for the Glyndebourne Festival and also presented at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, now brings this masterpiece to the stage of the Deutsche Oper Berlin – opulent, touching, and surprisingly timely.

Plot: Love, Power, and Betrayal in Ancient Egypt

At its heart is one of the most famous love stories in world history: the passionate affair between Julius Caesar and the young Egyptian queen Cleopatra. But their relationship is overshadowed by political intrigue, familial power struggles, and personal tragedies. While Cleopatra fights for control of Egypt, Caesar is drawn into a maelstrom of manipulation, conflicting loyalties, and war.


At the same time, we experience the tragic fate of Cornelia and Sesto, the widow and son of the murdered Pompey, who flee from Caesar's adversary Tolomeo and are drawn into the maelstrom of violence and abuse of power. Handel's music imbues these characters with tremendous emotional depth – from revenge and despair to hope for justice.

An emotional and musical fireworks display

At its premiere in London in 1724, Giulio Cesare in Egitto became one of Handel's greatest successes. This is due not only to the captivating plot, but also to the sophisticated libretto and the numerous hit arias that continue to characterize the work today. Cleopatra's famous coloratura arias, Caesar's heroic entrances, and Cornelia's plaintive passages make the opera an emotional and musical highlight of the Baroque repertoire.

A sumptuous production by David McVicar

David McVicar stages the work with a meticulous eye for Baroque theater craftsmanship: moving sets, playful effects, and a harmonious blend of humor, sensuality, and drama. Cleopatra's art of seduction, in particular, is portrayed with charm and elegance – without losing sight of the political background.


Top-class cast & musical direction

• Conductor: Stefano Montanari
  
• Director: David McVicar
  

Featuring:

• Vasilisa Berzhanskaya
  
• Elena Tsallagova
  
• Clémentine Margaine / Stephanie Wake-Edwards
  

Soprano Elena Tsallagova, originally from North Ossetia, captivates audiences as Cleopatra with her vocal brilliance and dramatic depth. A fixture in the Deutsche Oper Berlin ensemble for years, this role showcases a new facet of her Baroque repertoire.

• 4 hours 30 minutes / Two intervals
  

In Italian with German and English subtitles