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So you think you know everything about Handel's Giulio Cesare? Here are some lesser known tidbits about Handel's popular opera. Handel was known for his intense compositional pace, especially when writing operas like Giulio Cesare. Stories suggest he composed the entire opera within weeks, fueled by vast amounts of strong coffee—up to 40 cups a day. Coffee shops were cultural hubs in London at the time, and Handel was a frequent visitor. The lead role was written for the famed castrato Senesino, whose vocal range and power were a spectacle in themselves. Castrati were surgically altered before puberty to maintain their high-pitched voices, making them Baroque celebrities—and subjects of ridi...

Handel's Giulio Cesare in Egitto is a fascinating blend of historical fact and dramatic fiction. But while the opera draws from real events in the lives of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, it does takes significant liberties to enhance its theatrical appeal. Historical Accuracies Setting and Context: The opera accurately situates the story during Caesar's pursuit of Pompey to Egypt around 48-47 BCE. This period marked the end of the Roman Republic’s civil war, with Caesar arriving in Egypt shortly after Pompey’s assassination—a key event in both history and the opera. Characters: The central figures of the opera—Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Tolomeo XIII—are all historical figures. The dynami...

How much do you think you know about Handel's historic heroine? Legend: Cleopatra was the only pharaohess to ever rule Egypt. Fact: There were actually seven pharaohs named Cleopatra. The most famous was the seventh. Legend: Cleopatra created her iconic eye make up. Fact: Cleopatra’s and ancient Egyptians’ heavily painted eyelids were not just to attract admirers but to protect against eye infections as well. Everyone, man or woman, wore green eye paint and black kohl. The eye makeup was believed to have a magical role in ancient Egyptian culture. Bacterial eye infections would have been common along the Nile, and the chemicals used in the eye makeup are know...

Act 1 Julius Caesar arrives in Egypt after his victory over Pompey. Achilla, general of Tolomeo, presents Caesar with Pompey’s head as a gesture of alliance, hoping it will earn Caesar’s favor. However, Caesar is horrified at Tolomeo’s barbarism. Cornelia, Pompey’s widow, laments her loss and her son, Sesto, swears to avenge his father’s death. In the palace, Achilla relays Caesar’s disgust at Tolomeo’s actions. He offers to kill Ceasar in exchange for Cornelia. Cleopatra, recognizing an opportunity to use Caesar to strengthen her position, disguises herself as a servant named “Lydia” to gain his favor. She charms him with her beauty and intelligence, planting the seeds...

Here are eight fascinating and lesser-known facts about George Frideric Handel, the composer of Giulio Cesare: Handel’s Duel Over an Opera: Early in his career, Handel was involved in a duel with fellow composer Johann Mattheson. The quarrel occurred during a performance of Mattheson's opera Cleopatra in 1704, where Mattheson, who was also conducting, expected to take over a role from Handel, who refused. The duel ended when Mattheson’s sword struck Handel’s metal coat button, preventing injury, and the two quickly reconciled. Dual Nationality: Though born in Halle, Germany, Handel became a naturalized British citizen in 1727. His adoption of English citizenship solidified his identity as a leading composer in Eng...