Handel's Giulio Cesare at La Scala: Bartoli's Withdrawal, De Niese's Triumph

The new production of Handel's Giulio Cesare at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, running from October 18 to November 2, 2019, generated months of anticipation after Cecilia Bartoli withdrew in June 2019 following Alexander Pereira's departure as theater director. Danielle De Niese replaced Bartoli as Cleopatra, delivering a standout performance. The production features Giovanni Antonini conducting the Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala on period instruments, and Robert Carsen's direction sets the opera in a contemporary Middle East of oil and tensions, echoing Peter Sellars' 1980s staging. Bejun Mehta sings the title role, with Christophe Dumaux as Tolomeo, Philippe Jaroussky as Sesto, and Sara Mingardo as Cornelia. The staging includes three countertenors in principal roles, a choice criticized for lack of philological accuracy compared to using women. Carsen's direction is praised for pop irony and respect for singing. Earlier in 2019, on May 6, John Eliot Gardiner conducted Semele in semi-staged form at La Scala with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists.