Rachid Ben Abdeslam

David McVicar’s production of Giulio Cesare manages to combine serious insight with entertainment, bringing Handel's masterpiece to life in a powerful, convincing and highly intelligent way. ln every line of the complex narrative the subtle nuances are apparent, reflecting perfectly the transparent and exquisite nature of Handel's musical expression. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound, the outstanding singing of the all-star cast, led superbly by Sarah Connolly, and the vivid playing of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under the energising baton of William Christie reveal the colour and dramatic character of Handel’s music in a most delightful manner.

Claudio Monteverdi's operatic adaptation of this story from Homer's The Odyssey receives a modern and distinctive staging in this 2002 production directed by Humphrey Burton for Les Arts Florissants. Penelope Marijana Mijanovic is left to her own devices when her husband, the heroic Ulysses Kresimir Spicer, goes off to fight in the Trojan Wars. After many years alone, Penelope finds herself attracting a number of suitors who wish to claim her hand; however, what she doesn't realize is that jealous Ulysses has his ways of keeping an eye on her. Production of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence; from the Theatre du Jeu de Paume.

La production à succès inventive de David McVicar de l'opéra le plus populaire de Haendel raconte l'histoire de la conquête de l'Égypte par César - et de sa reine, Cléopâtre - à l'ère de l'impérialisme britannique du XIXe siècle, tout en incluant des éléments du théâtre baroque et des films de Bollywood. David Daniels dans le rôle-titre et Natalie Dessay dans le rôle de Cléopâtre dirigent le casting. Christophe Dumaux est Ptolémée, le frère de Cléopâtre, et Alice Coote et Patricia Bardon incarnent Sesto et Cornelia, fils et veuve de Pompée, l'adversaire de César. Le spécialiste de la musique ancienne Harry Bicket dirige et joue le continuo de clavecin.