Händel's 'Giulio Cesare in Egitto' Triumphs at Deutsche Oper Berlin

The Deutsche Oper Berlin is staging Georg Friedrich Händel's 'Giulio Cesare in Egitto' in a revival of David McVicar's 2005 Glyndebourne Festival production. Under musical direction of Alessandro Quarta, the opera features a cast including Christophe Dumaux as Giulio Cesare, Elena Tsallagova as Cleopatra, and Stephanie Wake-Edwards as Cornelia. The production, with sets by Robert Jones and costumes by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, runs for 4 hours 40 minutes including two intermissions. Performances are scheduled for July 5 and 7 at 17:00 and 18:00 respectively, with the final performance on July 8 at 18:00. The opera, one of Händel's greatest successes during his lifetime and still his most performed work, tells the story of the passionate love between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra amid political and family intrigues. The production features elaborate baroque-inspired staging with glittering waves, sailing ships, and splendid costumes. The cast delivers impressive coloratura singing, with highlights including Tsallagova's da capo aria 'Piangero la sorte mia' and Dumaux's duet with solo violinist Nathan Giem. The orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin accompanies excellently. The performance received a standing ovation from a sold-out house.