18th Century of Opera: Handel's Giulio Cesare

When we in-depth look at the foundation of the opera, we have to emphasize Italy and how the importance of the opera's presence. Italy and opera relate to one another strongly. If we need to summarize the history of opera, we have to start with Camerata Fiorentina which is a group that ensured opera's presence, and Count Giovanni de Bardi who helped with this group materially and spiritually.

The Opera concept began with the group named Camerata Fiorentina's efforts to musicalize Greek mythologies and it amplifies to the entire world quickly. The first opera stages were belonging to the upper part that appreciated by the commoners, only senior people could go to the opera. But later on, the opera became open to everyone and anyone who was able to afford the ticket price could go to the opera. The first opera was Dafne by Jacopo Peri and Jacopo Corsi, the librettist was Ottavio Rinuccini.

If we get to Handel's Giulio Cesare, we can definitely emphasize that the alto castrato voice type was occupy a large space in the opera. There are castratos and one of them is Giulio Cesare himself. The other two are Tolomeo (Cleopatra's brother, King of Egypt) and Nireno (Cleopatra's and Tolomeo's servant).

The Structure of the Story

Act 1

Giulio Cesare and his army comes to the banks of the Nile with victory, he defeated his rival, Pompey. When they reach the shore, Cornelia who is the second wife of Pompey comes to Caesar with her son (Sesto) and begs him to spare her husband's life. Cesare accepts her pleas but he wants to speak with him first. At that time, Tolomeo's helper Achilla, who is the ruler of Egypt's helper enters the stage and brings Pompey's head in the tray. And he says that his lord Tolomeo is always ready to help Cesare. Cornelia is shocked when she sees Pompey's head and she swears to take revenge when she talks to Cesare about her revenge plan, Cesare promises to help her. At that time, while Tolomeo and his sister Cleopatra were sitting anywhere of nothing in their palace, Achille came to them and told them that Cesare come to take revenge. Hearing this, Cleopatra decides to pick up Cesare using her femininity, so that after Tolomeo dies, she can become the queen of Egypt. She disguises herself and goes to Cesare's place. Meanwhile, Cesare holds the funeral of Pompey with Cornelia and Sesto. Cleopatra approaches Cesare and introduces herself as Cleopatra's servant. Cesare was so impressed by her beauty.

After that, Cornelia and Sesto, go to the Egypt palace to see Tolomeo. Also, Tolomeo was impressed with Cornelia but his hands are tied because he promised his assistant Achille that he could take Cornelia before. Sesto challenges Tolomeo with his sword but he fails Achille approaches Cornelia but when he is rejected, he orders Cornelia's son Sesto to be arrested.

Act 2

When Cesare comes to the palace, Cleopatra sings to him in a show for seducing him. Cesare was so impressed. On Tolomeo's side, Achille tries to get Cornelia but then he leaves when he rejected them outright. Seizing this opportunity, Tolomeo tries to approach Cornelia but he is also rejected. At that time, Sesto enters the palace's garden secretly and his aim is to fight Tolomeo. Cesare who is still with Cleopatra wants to go to see when he hears the sounds of fighting outside, but Cleopatra doesn't want him to go because she is afraid of something can happen to Cesare and that time she accidentally says she is not a servant Cleopatra herself. Cesare forgives her but he goes to the garden immediately. Cleopatra is in fear because the war was starting now. On the other hand, the duel between Tolomeo and Sesto is interrupted by the arrival of Achille. Achille says to everyone that Cesare fell down the window and died when he fled from enemy. Tolomeo escaped and Sesto, who has failed, wants to commit suicide but her mother stops and reminds him of his vow.

Act 3

Tolomeo has destroyed the armies of Cesare and Cleopatra and he is singing victory songs. On the other hand, Cesare barely survived this bloody war and he is concerned about Cleopatra. Sesto finds Achille who is battle-wounded and almost dying when he's still looking around for Tolomeo to kill him. Before Achille dies, he gives the armies' seal to Tolomeo and he says that he can manage the armies thanks to this seal. Sesto immediately takes the seal, but just then Cesare arrives and he promises to take the seal from Sesto back and save his mother and Cleopatra.

Tolomeo captured Cleopatra and her servants and he says that Cesare is dead. Cleopatra is so sad that she decides to commit suicide, but before she swallows the poison Cesare enters the place. Cleopatra is so happy now and the two lovers grieve for a long time. On the other hand, Sesto found Tolomeo and finally, he manages to kill him. However, he can't get over the shock that killing someone for a long time.

Cesare and Cleopatra confront the public with celebrating their victory and Cesare declares Cleopatra the queen of Egypt. While this announcement is being made to the public, Sesto and Cornelia are also with them on this happy day. Cesare and Cleopatra greet the public by declaring their love.