Combine one of history's most famous wars with one of history's most famous love affairs and you get one marvelous opera. The war is the Romans vs. the Egyptians. The romance, of course, is Caesar and Cleopatra. With the supporting cast of Cornelia, Achillas and others providing added treachery and drama. Experience this passionate story set to music that could only come from the genius of Handel.

m=matinee

Full Synopsis

Background: Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great are at war for control of the Roman world. Recently Caesar defeated Pompey, who retreated to Egypt, and Caesar has pursued him there. Currently, Egypt is ruled by Ptolemy and his sister, Cleopatra, who are also vying with each other for the Egyptian throne.

ACT I: Caesar enters Alexandria to the acclaim of the Egyptian people. Pompey’s wife, Cornelia, and his son, Sextus, plead with Caesar to make peace with Pompey, and Caesar agrees. Achillas, Ptolemy’s general in the Egyptian army, arrives and presents a gift to Caesar from the Egyptian ruler – Pompey’s head – in an attempt to curry favor with the Roman. However, Caesar is horrified. Cornelia in her grief captivates Achillas while Sextus swears to her that he will avenge his father’s murder.

In her chambers, Cleopatra asserts that she will alone rule Egypt. Nirenus, her adviser, tells Cleopatra how her brother, Ptolemy, had Pompey beheaded and presented it to Caesar. She resolves to obtain Caesar’s support by more effective means. Ptolemy enters and the siblings argue. As Cleopatra storms out, Achillas arrives to tell Ptolemy how Caesar reacted to his gift and the general advises the Egyptian ruler to have Caesar murdered. Achillas will take on the challenge, if Ptolemy rewards him with Cornelia. Ptolemy agrees.

In the Roman camp, Caesar reflects on life’s fleeting nature, as reflected in Pompey’s ashes. Cleopatra comes to Caesar disguised as an attendant of the Egyptian queen named Lydia. She tells him that she is of high birth, but Ptolemy has taken her fortune. She asks for Caesar to take up her cause, and he promises to discuss it with Ptolemy when he goes to his court. Meanwhile, Cornelia arrives to pay her respects to her husband’s remains and to vow vengeance. Sextus, who is at his mother’s side, swears to her that he will be her instrument of revenge. “Lydia” comes to them and offers to help them get into Pompey’s palace.

Caesar, now in Ptolemy’s court, denounces the beheading of Pompey and departs. Cornelia and Sextus come to Ptolemy, who also condemn the Egyptian for murdering Pompey, which angers him further. In return he confines Sextus to the palace, but smitten by Cornelia’s beauty, he confines her to the harem. Achillas offers himself to Cornelia, but she rejects him. As he departs, Cornelia and Sextus lament their fate.

ACT II: In the garden, “Lydia” enchants Caesar as she presents herself to him as Virtue. Elsewhere, Achillas tries again to court Cornelia, unsuccessfully. When Ptolemy enters, Achillas reassures him he will kill Caesar that very day. Cornelia intends to kill herself, but Nirenus and Sextus arrive in time to stop her. Sextus again vows to avenge his father.

Cleopatra, determined to win Caesar’s heart, pretends to sleep as he enters and admires her beauty. A Roman guard arrives to tell Caesar that the Egyptians are calling for his blood. Cleopatra reveals her identity and offers to help Caesar. She asks him to flee for his safety, but he refuses. She begs the gods to help him.

ACT III: Ptolemy’s forces have defeated Cleopatra, and she is her brother’s prisoner. The Egyptian king puts her in chains and boasts that she will bow to him. She mourns her fate as she is led away.

Caesar, near the Alexandria harbor where he escaped drowning, muses if Cleopatra is still true. Achillas, wounded in battle, arrives with Sextus, having vowed his allegiance to the Egyptian queen after Ptolemy took Cornelia from him. He gives Sextus his ring so that Sextus lead Achillas’ men into the palace, hopefully fulfilling both men’s desire for revenge and freeing Cornelia at the same time. Achillas dies, and Caesar comes out of hiding and takes the ring to that he can lead the troops to the palace and free Cleopatra as well.

In the palace, Cleopatra prepares to be executed by her brother – thinking that Caesar is dead, she has lost all hope. Just then, Caesar arrives in her chambers and the lovers embrace.

Ptolemy, having taken Cornelia for himself, tries to force himself on her, but Cornelia fights him. Sextus finds them and kills Ptolemy, fulfilling his vow to his murdered father.

Caesar and Cleopatra enter Alexandria triumphant. Nirenus reports that all of Egypt recognizes Caesar as the emperor. Cornelia and Sextus swear allegiance to Caesar, while he puts Cleopatra on the Egyptian throne, declaring her Queen of Egypt.