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George Frideric Handel

Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV.17

Opera

HWV 17 Composed 1724 Stage

Giulio Cesare in Egitto, commonly known as Giulio Cesare, is a dramma per musica (opera seria) in three acts composed by George Frideric Handel for the Royal Academy of Music in 1724. The libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym who used an earlier libretto by Giacomo Francesco Bussani, which had been set to music by Antonio Sartorio (1676). The opera was a success at its first performances, was frequently revived by Handel in his subsequent opera seasons and is now one of the most often performed Baroque operas.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Place: Egypt
Time: 48–47 B.C.

As with most of his other operas, Handel made several revisions to the score of Giulio Cesare for revivals, adding new arias and cutting others. The listing of arias in this synopsis applies to the original 1724 version.

Cesare, in pursuit of his enemy Pompeo, follows him to Egypt. Pompeo's wife Cornelia pleads with Cesare to spare her husband. He is about to grant her plea, when the Egyptians led by their boy king Tolomeo bring him the head of Pompeo. Cornelia and Pompeo's son Sesto vow to avenge his death. Tolomeo's sister Cleopatra desires to depose her brother in order to become the sole ruler of Egypt. She joins Cornelia and Sesto in their plans for vengeance and entreats Cesare to aid her. Following her overtures, Cesare falls in love with Cleopatra. Her brother attempts to assassinate Cesare, but he escapes. It is reported to Cleopatra that Cesare has drowned while in flight. She is taken captive by her brother. Cesare, who has escaped drowning, enters to free his beloved. Tolomeo is slain by Sesto, because he forced himself upon Cornelia against her will. Cesare makes Cleopatra Queen of Egypt and returns to Rome.

  1. Sinfonia

Atto I

After the overture, the entire cast, except Giulio Cesare, gathers on stage for the opening chorus, a victory song which compares Cesare to Hercules. (Chorus: Viva, viva il nostro Alcide). Giulio Cesare and his victorious troops arrive on the banks of the River Nile after defeating Pompeo's forces. (Aria: Presti omai l'Egizia terra). Pompeo's second wife, Cornelia, begs for mercy for her husband's life. Cesare agrees, but on the condition that Pompeo must see him in person. Achilla, the leader of the Egyptian army, presents Cesare with a casket containing Pompeo's head. It is a token of support from Tolomeo, the co-ruler of Egypt (together with Cleopatra, his sister). Cornelia faints, and Cesare is furious about Tolomeo's cruelty. (Aria: Empio, dirò, tu sei). Cesare's assistant, Curio, offers to avenge Cornelia, hoping that she will fall for him and marry him. Cornelia rejects the offer in grief, saying that another death would not relieve her pain. (Aria: Priva, son d'ogni conforto). Sesto, son of Cornelia and Pompeo, swears to take revenge for his father's death. (Aria: Svegliatevi nel core). Cleopatra decides to use her charm to seduce Cesare. (Aria: Non disperar, chi sà?) Achilla brings the news to Tolomeo that Cesare was furious over the murder of Pompeo. Tolomeo swears to kill Cesare to protect his rule of the kingdom. (Aria: L'empio, sleale, indegno). Cleopatra (in disguise) goes to meet Cesare in his camp hoping that he will support her as the queen of Egypt. Cesare is amazed by her beauty. (Aria: Non è si vago e bello). Nireno notes that the seduction was successful. (Aria: Tutto può donna vezzosa). Meanwhile, Cornelia continues to mourn the loss of her husband. (Arioso: Nel tuo seno, amico sasso). Cornelia prepares to kill Tolomeo to avenge Pompeo's death, but is stopped by Sesto, who promises to do it instead. Cesare, Cornelia and Sesto go to the Egyptian palace to meet Tolomeo. (Aria: Cara speme, questo core). Cleopatra now believes that as she has turned Cesare, Cornelia and Sesto against Tolomeo successfully, the scales are tipped in her favour. (Aria: Tu la mia stella sei). Cesare meets Tolomeo, who offers him a room in the royal apartments, though Cesare tells Curio that he expects Tolomeo to betray him. (Aria: Va tacito e nascosto). Tolomeo is fascinated by Cornelia's beauty but has promised Achilla that he could have her. (Aria: Tu sei il cor di questo core). Sesto attempts to challenge Tolomeo, but is unsuccessful. When Cornelia rejects Achilla, he orders the soldiers to arrest Sesto. (Duet: Son nata a lagrimar).

  1. Scena I, 1. Coro “Viva, viva il nostro Alcide!” (Sesto, Cornelia, Nireno, Tolomeo, Curio, Achilla)
  2. Scena I, 2. Aria “Presti omai l’egizia terra” (Cesare)
  3. Scena I. Recitativo “Curio, Cesare venne, e vide e vinse” (Cesare, Curio)
  4. Scena II. Recitativo “Questa è Cornelia” (Cesare, Curio, Cornelia, Sesto)
  5. Scena III. Recitativo “La reggia Tolomeo t’offre in albergo” (Achilla, Cesare, Sesto, Cornelia, Curio)
  6. Scena III, 3. Aria “Empio, dirò, tu sei” (Cesare)
  7. Scena IV. Recitativo “Già torna in sé” (Curio, Sesto, Cornelia)
  8. Scena IV, 4. Aria “Priva son d’ogni conforto” (Cornelia)
  9. Scena IV. Recitativo “Vani sono i lamenti” (Sesto)
  10. Scena IV, 5. Aria “Svegliatevi nel core” (Sesto)
  11. Scena V. Recitativo “Regni Cleopatra” (Cleopatra, Nireno, Tolomeo)
  12. Scena V, 6. Aria “Non disperar, chi sa?” (Cleopatra)
  13. Scena VI. Recitativo “Sire, Signor!” (Achilla, Tolomeo)
  14. Scena VI, 7. Aria “L’empio, sleale, indegno” (Tolomeo)
  15. Scena VII, 8. Recitativo accompagnato “Alma del gran Pompeo” (Cesare)
  16. Scena VII. Recitativo “Qui nobile donzella” (Curio, Cesare, Cleopatra)
  17. Scena VII, 9. Aria “Non è sì vago e bello” (Cesare)
  18. Scena VII. Recitativo “Cleopatra, vincesti” (Nireno, Cleopatra)
  19. Scena VII, 10. Aria “Tutto può donna vezzosa” (Cleopatra)
  20. Scena VIII, 11. Arioso “Nel tuo seno, amico sasso” (Cornelia)
  21. Scena VIII. Recitativo “Ma che! Vile e negletta” (Cornelia, Cleopatra, Sesto, Nireno)
  22. Scena VIII, 12. Aria “Cara speme, questo core tu cominci a lusingar” (Sesto)
  23. Scena VIII, 13. Aria. “Tu la mia stella sei” (Cleopatra)
  24. Scena IX. Recitativo “Cesare, alla tua destra” (Tolomeo, Cesare, Achilla)
  25. Scena IX, 14. Aria “Va tacito e nascosto” (Cesare)
  26. Scena X. Recitativo “Sire, con Sesto, il figlio, questa è Cornelia” (Achilla, Tolomeo, Cornelia, Sesto)
  27. Scena XI. Recitativo “Cornelia, in quei tuoi lumi” (Achilla, Cornelia, Sesto)
  28. Scena XI, 15. Aria “Tu sei il cor di questo core” (Achilla)
  29. Scena XI. Recitativo: “Madre!” – “Mia vita!” – “Addio!” (Sesto, Cornelia)
  30. Scena XI, 16. Duetto “Son nata a lagrimar (Son nato a sospirar)” (Cornelia e Sesto)

Atto II

In Cleopatra's palace, while in disguise as "Lidia", she uses her charms to seduce Cesare. (Aria: V'adoro, pupille). She sings praises of Cupid's darts and Cesare is delighted. Cesare is smitten with Cleopatra, and Nireno tells Cesare that "Lidia" is waiting for him. (Aria: Se in fiorito ameno prato). In Tolomeo's palace, Cornelia laments her fate. (Arioso: Deh piangete, oh mesti lumi). Achilla pleads with Cornelia to accept him, but she rejects him. (Aria: Se a me non sei crudele) When he leaves, Tolomeo also tries to win her, but is also rejected. (Aria: Sì spietata, il tuo rigore). Thinking that there is no hope, Cornelia tries to take her own life, but is stopped by Sesto, who is escorted by Nireno. Nireno reveals the bad news that Tolomeo has given orders for Cornelia to be sent to his harem. However, Nireno also comes up with a plan to sneak Sesto into the harem together with Cornelia, so Sesto can kill Tolomeo when he is alone and unarmed. (Aria: Cessa omai di sospirare). Sesto enters the garden of the palace, wishing to fight Tolomeo for killing his father. (Aria: L'angue offeso mai riposa). Meanwhile, Cleopatra waits for Cesare to arrive in her palace. (Aria: Venere bella). Still smitten with her, Cesare arrives in Cleopatra's palace. However, Curio suddenly bursts in and warns Cesare that he has been betrayed, and enemies are approaching Cesare's chambers and chanting "Death to Cesare". Cleopatra reveals her identity and after hearing the enemies heading for them, asks Cesare to flee, but he decides to fight. (Aria: Al lampo dell'armi). (Chorus: Morà, Cesare morà). Cleopatra, having fallen in love with Cesare, begs the gods to bless him. (Aria: Se pietà di me non senti). In Tolomeo's palace, Tolomeo prepares to enter his harem. (Arioso: Belle dee di questo core). As Tolomeo tries to seduce Cornelia, Sesto rushes in to kill Tolomeo, but is stopped by Achilla. Achilla announces that Cesare (in the attempt to run from soldiers) has jumped from the palace window and died. Achilla asks again for Cornelia's hand in marriage but is turned down by Tolomeo. Furious, Achilla leaves. Sesto feels devastated and attempts to kill himself but is prevented from doing so by his mother; he repeats his vow to kill Tolomeo. (Aria: L'aure che spira).

  1. Scena I. Recitativo “Eseguisti, o Niren, quanto t’imposi?” (Cleopatra, Nireno)
  2. Scena I. Aria “Chi perde un momento” (Nireno)
  3. Scena II. Recitativo “Da Cleopatra apprenda” (Nireno, Cesare)
  4. Scena II, 17. Sinfonia e Recitativo “Taci!” – “Che fia?” – “Cieli, e qual dalle sfere” (Cesare, Nireno)
  5. Scena II, 18. Sinfonia e Recitativo “Giulio, che miri?” (Cesare)
  6. Scena II, 19. Aria “V’adoro pupille” (Cleopatra)
  7. Scena II. Recitativo “Vola, mio cor, al dolce incanto” (Cesare, Nireno)
  8. Scena II, 20. Aria “Se in fiorito ameno prato” (Cesare)
  9. Scena III, 21. Arioso “Deh, piangete, oh mesti lumi” (Cornelia)
  10. Scena III. Recitativo “Bella, non lacrimare” (Achilla, Cornelia)
  11. Scena IV. Recitativo “Bella, placa lo sdegno!” (Tolomeo, Cornelia, Achilla)
  12. Scena IV, 22. Aria “Se a me non sei crudele” (Achilla)
  13. Scena IV. Recitativo “Bella, cotanto aborri chi ti prega d’amar?” (Tolomeo, Cornelia)
  14. Scena IV, 23. Aria “Sì spietata, il tuo rigore” (Tolomeo)
  15. Scena V. Recitativo “Su, che si tarda?” (Cornelia, Sesto)
  16. Giulio Cesare in Egitto: Atto II, Scena II. "Madre! Ferma!" (Sesto, Cornelia, Nireno)
  17. Scena VI. Recitativo “Cornelia, infauste nove” (Nireno, Cornelia, Sesto)
  18. Scena VI, 24. Aria “Cessa omai di sospirare” (Cornelia)
  19. Scena VI. Recitativo “Figlio non è chi vendicar non cura” (Sesto)
  20. Giulio Cesare: Atto II, Scena III. "Bella Lidia" (Cesare Cleopatra, Curio, Coro)"
  21. Scena VI, 25. Aria “L’angue offeso mai riposa” (Sesto)
  22. Scena VII, 26. Aria “Venere bella” (Cleopatra)
  23. Scena VII. Recitativo “Che veggio, o numi?” (Cesare, Cleopatra)
  24. Scena VIII. Recitativo “Cesare, sei tradito” (Curio, Cesare, Cleopatra)
  25. Scena VIII, 27. Aria e Coro “Al lampo dell’armi” (Cesare, Coro)
  26. Giulio Cesare: Atto II, Scena III. "Mora, mora, mora" (Coro, Cleopatra)
  27. Scena VIII, 28. Recitativo accompagnato “Che sento? Oh Dio! Morrà Cleopatra ancora” (Cleopatra)
  28. Scena VIII, 29. Aria “Se pietà di me non senti” (Cleopatra)
  29. Scena IX, 30. Arioso “Belle dèe di questo core” (Tolomeo, Cornelia)
  30. Scena IX. Recitativo “… di quel ch’avete in doppie stelle accolto” (Tolomeo, Cornelia, Sesto)
  31. Scena X. Recitativo “Sire, prendi!” – “Che fia?” (Achilla, Tolomeo, Sesto, Cornelia)
  32. Scena XI. Recitativo “Ecco in tutto perduta la speme di vendetta” (Sesto, Cornelia)
  33. Scena XI, 31. Aria “L’aure che spira” (Sesto)
  34. Scena XI, 31b. Aria “Scorta siate a passi miei” (Sesto)

Atto III

Furious at Tolomeo for being ungrateful to him despite his loyalty, Achilla plans to defect to Cleopatra's side (Aria: Dal fulgor di questa spada), but Tolomeo stabs him before he does. As battle rings out between Tolomeo's and Cleopatra's armies, Tolomeo celebrates his apparent victory against Cleopatra (Aria: Domerò la tua fierezza). Cleopatra laments losing both the battle and Cesare (Aria: Piangerò la sorte mia). However, Cesare is not dead: he survived his leap and is roaming the desert in search of his troops (Aria: Aure, deh, per pietà). While looking for Tolomeo, Sesto finds the wounded, nearly dead Achilla, who hands Sesto a seal authorizing him to command his armies. Cesare appears and demands the seal, promising that he will either save both Cornelia and Cleopatra or die (Aria: Quel torrente, che cade dal monte). With Cesare alive and Achilla dead, Sesto's spirits lift, and he vows to fight on (Aria: La giustizia ha già sull'arco). Cesare continues on to Cleopatra's camp, where a lamenting Cleopatra is overjoyed to see him. (Aria: Da tempeste il legno infranto).
In the palace, Sesto finds Tolomeo trying to rape Cornelia and kills him. Having successfully avenged Pompeo, Cornelia and Sesto celebrate Tolomeo's death. (Aria: Non ha più che temere). The victorious Cesare and Cleopatra enter Alexandria, and Cesare proclaims Cleopatra to be queen of Egypt and promises his support to her and her country. They declare their love for each other (Duet: Caro! Bella! Più amabile beltà). Cesare then proclaims Egypt's liberation from tyranny, and wishes for the glory of Rome to spread far and wide. For the final chorus, the entire cast (including the dead Achilla and Tolomeo) gathers on stage to celebrate the power of love and the triumph of good over evil (Chorus: Ritorni omai nel nostro core).

  1. Scena I. Recitativo “In tal modi si premia” (Achilla)
  2. Scena I, 32. Aria “Dal fulgor di questa spada” (Achilla)
  3. Scena II, 33. Sinfonia
  4. Scena II. Recitativo “Vinta cadesti al balenar di questo mio fulmine reale” (Tolomeo, Cleopatra)
  5. Scena II, 34. Aria “Domerò la tua fierezza” (Tolomeo)
  6. Scena III. Recitativo “E pur così in un giorno” (Cleopatra)
  7. Scena III, 35. Aria “Piangerò la sorte mia” (Cleopatra)
  8. Scena IV, 36. Recitativo accompagnato “Dall’ondoso periglio” (Cesare)
  9. Scena IV. Aria “Aure, deh, per pietà” (Cesare)
  10. Scena IV. Recitativo “Cerco invan Tolomeo per vendicarmi” (Sesto, Achilla, Cesare, Nireno)
  11. Scena IV. Recitativo “Lascia questo sigillo!” (Cesare, Sesto)
  12. Scena IV, 37. Aria “Quel torrente” (Cesare)
  13. Scena V. Recitativo “Tutto lice sperar, Cesare vive” (Sesto, Nireno)
  14. Scena V, 38. Aria “La giustizia ha già sull’arco” (Sesto)
  15. Scena VI, 39. Recitativo accompagnato “Voi, che mie fide ancelle un tempo foste” (Cleopatra)
  16. Scena VI. Recitativo “Forzai l’ingresso a tua salvezza” (Cesare, Cleopatra)
  17. Scena VI, 40. Aria “Da tempeste il legno infranto” (Cleopatra)
  18. Scena VII. Recitativo “Cornelia, è tempo omai” (Tolomeo, Cornelia)
  19. Scena VIII. Recitativo “T’arresta, o genitrice!” (Sesto, Tolomeo, Cornelia)
  20. Scena VIII, 41. Aria “Non ha più che temere” (Cornelia)
  21. Scena IX, 42. Sinfonia e Marcia
  22. Scena IX. Recitativo “Qui Curio vincitor, qui tuo l’Egitto" (Nireno, Cesare, Sesto, Cornelia, Cleopatra)
  23. Scena IX, 43. Duetto “Caro! (Bella!) Più amabile beltà” (Cleopatra e Cesare)
  24. Scena IX. Recitativo “Goda pur or l’Egitto” (Cesare)
  25. Scena IX, 44. Coro e Duetto “Ritorni omai nel nostro core” – “Un bel contento il sen già si prepara” (Egyptians, Cleopatra, Cesare)

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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