Singer

A special evening awaits you at the Vienna Konzerthaus: We'll begin with a look behind the scenes and into the organizational structures of one of Europe's leading concert halls. Following this, a champagne reception in the Wotruba Salon invites you to exchange ideas, accompanied by a brief introduction to the concert program.

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reConnect mw: Behind the scenes at the Vienna Konzerthaus

Wiener Konzerthaus

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

An absolute must: with Poro, re dell’Indie, Handel set a popular libretto to music in his inimitable way. Alexander the Great conquers India and gets embroiled in intrigues of love and murder. The opera is performed on the stage, in costume and with props and is staged by countertenor Max Emanuel Cencic, who also sings the title role. Julia Leszneva can also be seen as the tragic Queen Cleofide. Lucile Richardot in the role of Poro’s sister Erissena sings the famous lyrical aria Son confusa pastorella.

Mezzo-soprano

Lucile Richardot

Events

Past events

Oct 19, 2025

reConnect mw: Behind the scenes at the Vienna Konzerthaus · University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

Jul 26 - Aug 17, 2025

Giulio Cesare in Egypt · Salzburger Festspiele

Future and recently performed repertoire

Cornelia in Giulio Cesare by Handel

Salzburger Festspiele

Erissena in Poro by Handel

Händel-Festspiele Halle

About

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