Trailer »Julius Caesar in Egypt« | Drama for music by George Frideric Handel

Caesar and Cleopatra: The affair between the Egyptian ruler and the Roman general has captured the imagination for centuries. George Frideric Handel made it one of his greatest successes. It was supposed to begin with a reconciliation: After a surprise victory over Pompeo's troops, Caesar pursued his adversary all the way to Egypt. Pompeo's wife, Cornelia, and their son, Sesto, acknowledged their defeat and begged for mercy for the hunted man. Caesar wanted to grant it, but it was already too late. The scheming Egyptian King Tolomeo saw his opportunity to win Caesar over in the power struggle with his own sister, Cleopatra. He gave the Roman a gift, but it completely failed to achieve its intended effect... Caesar fell in love with Cleopatra and eventually crowned her sole queen of Egypt. Nicola Francesco Haym's libretto unfolds with tremendous dramatic power, portraying the characters as politically active and simultaneously loving, suffering, and hopeful. Handel was inspired by the material to create music of inexhaustible color and unparalleled virtuosity, which comes alive in all its facets under the direction of early music specialist Paul Agnew. The production is directed by the young Spanish director Lucía Astigarraga. Musical Director: Paul Agnew Director: Lucía Astigarraga Stage and Lighting: Klaus Grünberg Costume Design: Barbara Drosihn Dramaturgy: Cordula Demattio Starring: Sophie Rennert, Amelia Scicolone/Olga Jelínková, Marie-Belle Sandis/Cláudia Ribas, Ruth Häde, Gerben van der Werf, Nikola Diskić/Friedemann Gottschlich, Matthias Lucht, Jordan Harding, National Theater Orchestra