The English Concert
Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto
Harry Bicket, conductor
Louise Alder, soprano (Cleopatra)
Paula Murrihy, mezzo-soprano (Sesto)
Beth Taylor, contralto (Cornelia)
John Holiday, countertenor (Tolomeo)
Morgan Pearse, baritone (Achilla)
Meili Li, countertenor (Nireno)
Thomas Chenhall, baritone (Curio)
Love, betrayal, family drama, and political intrigue—Handel’s blockbuster heroic opera recounts the historic meeting of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, through a series of unforgettable arias, vivid characterizations, and sumptuous orchestration. Dazzling British soprano Louise Alder sings the seductive central role of Cleopatra, opposite French countertenor Christophe Dumaux as her Caesar. It is hard to overstate the sublime performances director Harry Bicket coaxes from his brilliant soloists and his truly stellar ensemble. “Handel’s genius shone throughout in the English Concert’s magnificent orchestra, which played as if inhabiting the spirit of Handel himself” (San Francisco Classical Voice).
Sung in Italian with English supertitles.
This performance is made possible, in part, by Beth DeAtley, Bernice Greene, and an anonymous patron sponsor.
This event is part of Cal Performances’ Illuminations: “Fractured History” programming for the 2024–25 season.
The Program Book will be available approximately one week before the performance.
There is a $15 per order service charge on single ticket purchases that partially underwrites the cost of our ticketing platform, credit card processing, Ticket Office staffing, and ticket delivery. To avoid this fee, tickets can be purchased in person at our Ticket Office during our regular office hours. Note: there is a $20 service charge for all subscription orders.
Illuminations Related Event
The English Concert
Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto
Pre-performance Q&A
Apr 27, 2:15–2:45pm
Zellerbach Hall Mezzanine
Free for ticket holders
In this pre-performance Q&A moderated by Mina Girgis, Cal Performances’ Director of Education, Campus, and Community Engagement, UC Berkeley faculty members Mary Ann Smart, professor of music, and Rita Lucarelli, associate professor of Egyptology, will discuss the context and history of Handel’s Giulio Cesare, as well as its relation to their own research and Cal Performances’ Illuminations: “Fractured History” theme.
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* There is a $15 per order service charge on ticket purchases made by phone or online that are not part of a subscription package, and a $20 service charge on all subscription orders. There is no fee for tickets purchased in person at the Zellerbach Hall Ticket Office unless they are part of a subscription. This fee helps to underwrite the cost of providing services online and by phone, as well as programs needed for digital order delivery. To avoid this fee, tickets can be purchased in person at our Ticket Office during our regular office hours.