Calixto Bieito transforms the parable of Baroque opera into a universal and contemporary work
"The actions of a sovereign, whether good or bad, are always an example."
Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Act I, Scene 3)
Amid the Roman Civil War (49–45 BC), Julius Caesar discovers that his rival, Pompey, has been cruelly executed by the Egyptian king Ptolemy. While Pompey's widow, Cornelia, mourns her husband and their son, Sesto, vows revenge on the man who killed his father, Ptolemy's sister and wife, Cleopatra, decides to seduce Caesar to gain his support and tilt the balance of power in her favor.
A love story in three acts between two illustrious figures of Antiquity (Caesar and Cleopatra), power struggles in Egypt—ingredients that alone explain the immediate success of Giulio Cesare when it premiered in 1724 at London's Haymarket Theatre, a private venue sustained by the enlightened aristocracy.
With a libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, based on an earlier one by Bussani for Antonio Sartorio, Giulio Cesare quickly became Handel’s most popular opera. This was thanks to its sumptuous orchestration, extraordinary musical inventiveness, dramatic intensity, and the beauty of its declamation and harmony.
Each character is crafted with remarkable psychological depth—particularly Cleopatra, one of the most exquisite portrayals of women in the history of music. The arias of Giulio Cesare are incredibly diverse: some showcase dazzling vocal fireworks, while others are among the most delicate and subtle pieces Handel ever composed.
The opera is in the expert hands of William Christie, a pioneer of the historically informed performance movement and a specialist in the French, English, and German Baroque repertoire. With an impressive and highly acclaimed discography, Christie will lead the orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, bringing this extraordinary masterpiece to life.
Stage director Calixto Bieito, renowned for his deep exploration of characters and visually striking productions, promises to shake audiences with his interpretation of Giulio Cesare, transforming the Baroque opera’s parable into something both universal and contemporary. To achieve this, he has assembled a first-class cast, including the renowned Catalan countertenor Xavier Sabata. A specialist in the genre, Sabata will take on the title role, showcasing the versatility of his unique voice in his much-anticipated Handelian debut at the Liceu.
The true battles in Giulio Cesare do not take place on the battlefield but within the characters themselves.
The opera explores self-mastery, the struggle against one’s own emotions and inner conflicts, and raises fundamental questions: how are heroes born, and what remains of them as time passes?
Opera in three acts
Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, based on the work of G.F. Bussani.
World premiere: 20/02/1724 at the King’s Theatre in London.
Premiere in Barcelona: 22/12/1964 at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
Last performance at the Liceu: 29/07/2004.
Total performances at the Liceu: 19.
With the support of:
Artistic profile
- Stage direction
- Calixto Bieito
- Scenography
- Rebecca Ringst
- Costumes
- Ingo Kruegler
- Lighting
- Michael Bauer
- Video
- Sarah Derendinger
- Dramaturgy
- Bettina Auer
- Production
- Gran Teatre del Liceu and Dutch National Opera
- Symphonic Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu
- Assistant Conductors
- Emmanuel Resche and Florian Carré
- Conductor
- William Christie
