Giulio Cesare in Egitto

George Frideric Handel
Giulio Cesare in Egitto

Date: 6th of June 2012
Place: Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow

Performers:
Sonia Prina - soloist
Maria Grazia Schiavo - soloist
David Hansen - soloist
Marina de Liso - soloist
Nicola Marchesini - soloist
Ugo Guagliardo - soloist
Capella Cracoviensis - ensemble
Jan Tomasz Adamus - conductor

George Frideric Handel's Giulio Cesare in Egitto is a dramma per musica in 3 acts. The piece is based on Nicola Francesco Haym's libretto according to Giacomo Francesco Bussani, which premiered at London's King's Theatre in the Haymarket, on the 20th of February 1724. The characters include: Giulio Cesare (alto), Pompey's wife Cornelia (alto), her son Sesto (soprano), Tolomeo, the king of Egypt (alto), a general of his forces, Achille (bass), his sister Cleopatra (soprano), her confidante Nireno (alto) and Curio (bass). Giulio Cesare is Handel's most famous opera and has been successfully presented before London audiences thirteen times. In 1724, a private French premiere was held at Pierre Crozat's home. In 1725, its staging was resumed in London and a German premiere was also held. By 1737, the opera had been performed dozens of times. Contemporary productions of the opera date back to 1922, since when it has been staged to this day, all over the world. However, the first production with historical instruments was held only as recently as 1977. The most famous Polish production of Giulio Cesare was staged by the Warsaw Chamber Opera. Krakow will see an extraordinary blend - the Capella Cracoviensis ensemble, Polish early music pride, and world-renowned vocalists (including Sonia Prina in the eponymous role - as presented at the world's major theatres).

Capella Cracoviensis - One of the most dynamic ensembles specialising in period performance of music from past epochs. Thanks to consistent support from the City of Krakow, the ensemble has pursued ambitious projects in an uncompromising way and at the highest artistic level, embracing eminent artists gifted with specific sensitivity. It hosts the world's leading concertmasters: Alessandro Moccia (Orchestre des Champs Elysees), Alberto Stevanin (Il Giardino Armonico, I Barocchisti, Ensemble Matheus), Fabio Ravasi (Europa Galante), Peter Hanson (a leader of Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique Gardinera), and the most important conductors specialising in early music: Paul Goodwin, Andrew Parrott, Andreas Spering, Paul McCreesh, Roy Goodman, Konrad Junghaenel, Fabio Bonizzoni and others. The Capella Cracoviensis was founded back in 1970 at the initiative of Stanisław Gałoński to perform early music, rarely heard in concert halls at that time. Over time, the ensemble has turned into a kind of a small philharmonic orchestra - with a choir and incomplete symphonic orchestra. Now it has returned to its roots and, along with the Misteria Paschalia and Opera Rara series, has fundamentally changed Krakow's musical stage, making Krakow the strongest early music centre in this part of Europe.