Singer

The gruesome image presented right at the beginning of Handel's opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto (1724) would warrant a trigger warning, given today's sensitivities. After the welcoming chorus for Caesar and the solemn declarations of peace, a severed human head appears—the head of Caesar's political opponent, the Senate favorite Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus.

Giulio Cesare in Egypt

House for Mozart

Right at the beginning of George Frideric Handel's Giulio Cesare in Egitto (1724), a gruesome image is shown: the severed head of Gnaeus Pompeius. Caesar's reaction raises questions: Is he outraged by the murder, its brutality, or the loss of control? The image of the head forces us to examine the rationality of political violence. The opera thus becomes a reflection on power, rivalry, and irreconcilability, addressing existential threats in a space dominated by combat. The plot draws on the following historical background: After the Battle of Pharsalus, Pompey fled from Caesar to Egypt, where he was killed by Achillas. Caesar sharply condemned the bloody deed against a Roman and subsequently defeated the Egyptians in the Alexandrian War as a token of atonement. George Frideric Handel and librettist Nicola Franceso Haym created characters that transcend political camps and are humanly touching. In the new Salzburg production, Dmitri Tcherniakov directs, with Emmanuelle Haïm conducting – a constellation of explosive creative power. Featuring, among others, Christophe Dumaux (Giulio Cesare), Olga Kulchynska (Cleopatra), Lucile Richardot (Cornelia), Federico Fiorio (Sesto), Yuriy Mynenko (Tolomeo), Andrey Zhilikhovsky (Achilla), Jake Ingbar (Nireno), Robert Raso (Curio), the Salzburg Bach Choir,and the Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra. At the Festival Opening Ceremony, we invite you to an exclusive insight into the stage orchestra rehearsal. The premiere of Giulio Cesare in Egitto will take place on July 26.

Giulio Cesare In Egitto

Not only do they share the same first name, they have already been guest performers together at the Handel Festival: this time round, the programme of the much sought-after sopranist Federico Fiorio and early music expert Federico Maria Sardelli is made up entirely of music written in Italy at the time Handel was there, around 1707. It includes two motets with enchanting soprano arias which are just tailor-made for Federico Fiorio’s supple voice.

Soprano

Federico Fiorio

Events

Past events

Jul 26 - Aug 17, 2025

Giulio Cesare in Egypt · Salzburger Festspiele

Jul 19, 2025

Giulio Cesare In Egitto · Salzburger Festspiele

Future and recently performed repertoire

Sesto in Giulio Cesare by Handel

Salzburger Festspiele

About

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