Giulio Cesare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Giulio Cesare |
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| by George Frideric Handel | |
Handel in 1733
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| Genre | Opera seria in 3 acts |
| Native title | Giulio Casare in Egitto |
| Translation | Julius Caesar |
| Other title | Julius Caesar in Egypt |
| Librettist | Nicola Francesco Haym |
| Language | Italian |
| Premiere | Royal Academy of Music London, England 20 February 1724 |
Giulio Cesare in Egitto (meaning Julius Caesar in Egypt) is a famous opera by George Frideric Handel. An opera is a play where the story is told mostly through singing. This opera has three acts.
The words for the opera, called the libretto, were written in Italian by Nicola Francesco Haym. The story is about the Roman leader Julius Caesar and his adventures in ancient Egypt.
The opera was first performed in London on February 20, 1724. It was a big success right away! People loved it so much that it was performed many more times in London. It also became popular in other countries like France and Germany.
For a long time, people forgot about Giulio Cesare. It was not performed at all during the 1800s. But in 1922, it was performed again, and people rediscovered how wonderful it was! Since then, Giulio Cesare has become one of Handel's most loved operas. It is often simply called Giulio Cesare.
Main Characters
These are the main characters, also called "roles," in the opera:
- Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar) - A Roman general and leader. Sung by a male singer with a very high voice, like an alto.
- Cleopatra - The Queen of Egypt. Sung by a soprano (a female singer with a high voice).
- Tolomeo - Cleopatra's brother and husband, who is also the King of Egypt. Sung by a male singer with a very high voice, like an alto.
- Cornelia - The widow of Pompey, Caesar's enemy. Sung by a contralto (a female singer with a low voice).
- Sesto - Cornelia's stepson. Sung by a soprano (a female singer with a high voice).
- Achilla - Tolomeo's General. Sung by a bass (a male singer with a very low voice).
- Curio - A Roman officer and Caesar's General. Sung by a bass.
- Nireno - A servant to Cleopatra and Tolomeo. Sung by a male singer with a very high voice, like an alto.
Images for kids
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First edition of July 1724 printed by Cluer and Creake
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Senesino, Cuzzoni and Berenstadt, probably in a scene from Flavio
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The librettist Nicola Francesco Haym seated at the harpsichord, Marco Ricci, c 1709
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Senesino, who created the role of Giulio Cesare
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Francesca Cuzzoni, who created the role of Cleopatra
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Anastasia Robinson, Countess of Peterborough, who created the role of Cornelia shortly before her retirement, British Museum
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Caricature of Gaetano Berenstadt, who created the role of Tolomeo
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End of sinfonia and beginning of Cleopatra's aria "V'adoro, pupille", act 2, scene 2, autograph manuscript, 1723, British Library
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Part of final chorus and duet in minor key for Cesare and Cleopatra, act 3, autograph manuscript
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Caesar giving Cleopatra the throne of Egypt, Pietro da Cortona, 1637
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The Triumphs of Caesar: the Vase Bearers, Andrea Mantegna, Fifteenth century, Royal Collection
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The Triumphs of Caesar: the Picture Bearers by Andrea Mantegna, fifteenth century, Royal Collection
See also
In Spanish: Julio César en Egipto para niños
