Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam, 2023, Directed by: Bieito)

Georg Friedrich Handel's "Giulio Cesare" is set during the Roman Civil War (49–45 BC) and is an intense drama full of romance, tragedy, and political intrigue. At the center of the plot is Cleopatra's attempt to seduce Julius Caesar to win him over to her rule over Egypt. Handel's music exudes the charm of the Baroque with its virtuosic vocal passages and subtle arias. The acclaimed production is set in a modern setting, populated by power-hungry oligarchs, which director Calixto Bieito transports into a 'digital dream world in a desert paradise'. The Spanish opera and theater director Calixto Bieito, known for his visceral and visually impressive productions, delighted audiences and critics with his gripping modern interpretation of "Giulio Cesare". Bieito made an outstanding ensemble of Handel singers available for this production, including two rising opera stars – the French soprano Julie Fuchs as Cleopatra and the Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Molinari as Sesto. In addition, the French countertenor Christophe Dumaux, who has made a name for himself as a Handel specialist, returned to the Dutch National Opera in the title role of the opera. Both the conductor Emmanuelle Haïm, a specialist in Baroque repertoire with an impressive and highly acclaimed discography, and her ensemble Le Concert d’Astrée made their debut at the Dutch National Opera with this production.