GIULIO CESARE SYNOPSIS

STUDY GUIDE Giulio Cesare SYNOPSIS

While this opera is based in historical events, the details of the story are largely fictional.

CHARACTERS

All of these characters are based on real people confirmed by the historical and archeological record.

ROMANS

Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar), countertenor (historically castrato) Supreme commander of Roman Empire

Curio, bass-baritone Tribune of Rome

Cornelia, contralto Widow of Pompey

Sesto (Sextus), soprano Son of Pompey and Cornelia

EGYPTIANS

Cleopatra, soprano Queen of Egypt

Tolemeo (King Ptolemy XII), countertenor (historically castrato) King of Egypt, Cleopatra’s brother

Achilla (Achillas), bass-baritone King Ptolmey’s counselor and Commander of his forces

Nireno, countertenor (historically castrato) Cleopatra’s servant and confidant

Bust of what is believed to be Cleopatra, c. 50 B.C. – 30 B.C. , Brooklyn Museum

ACT I

Egypt. 48 B.C. The day after Julius Caesar defeats his political opponent, Pompey, in a decisive military victory. Caesar is celebrating his victory with General Curio in Alexandria. Pompey’s wife, Cornelia, visits Caesar and begs him to spare her husband’s life. Caesar decides to grant him mercy. Just then, the King of Egypt, Ptolmey, and General Achillas arrive and present Caesar with Pompey’s head! Even as Caesar is wary of Ptolmey, he agrees to a private meeting in the king’s quarters at nightfall. As Cornelia mourns her husband, her son Sextus vows to avenge his father’s murder.

In the palace, Cleopatra plots to take sole possession of the throne from her brother, Ptolmey. Her servant, Nireno, informs her of Pompey’s fate, and Caesar’s reaction. She schemes to ally with Caesar against their common enemy. Meanwhile, Achillas informs King Ptolmey of Caesar’s disgust and wariness of the King’s honor, and proposes to murder Caesar, if he can have Cornelia in payment. Fearing Caesar and the strength of Roman Empire, King Ptolemy agrees to the deal. While Caesar is presiding over Pompey’s funeral rites at camp, Cleopatra joins disguised as Lydia. She find Caesar and tells him she is a handmaiden in the palace, born noble, but betrayed by the king. Caesar is captivated by her, and agrees to become allies to secure their empires. Cornelia says a final goodbye to her dead husband, while Sextus plots to kill King Ptolmey. Still in disguise, and now on the same side, Cleopatra pledges her support and offers Nireno’s assistance in sneaking Cornelia and Sextus into the palace.

As Caesar reluctantly meets with King Ptolmey, Cornelia and Sextus, having gained entrance to the palace, attempt to kill the king. He quickly disarms and imprisons the pair. Achillas offers Cornelia her freedom in return for her body. She refuses, and Sextus says goodbye as the guards separate them.

ACT II

While Cleopatra (disguised as Lydia) enchants Caesar with her singing, Nireno gives him a message to go to her later that night.

Imprisoned, Cornelia fights off increasing advances from both Achillas and King Ptolmey. She desides to take her fate into her own hands and end her life, just as Nireno arrives with her son, freeing them both. Nireno explains the king’s plan to add Cornelia to his harem as his newest concubine. They plot to go along with King Ptolmey’s expectations so as to catch him by surprise when he is most vulnerable.

Just as Caesar joins Cleopatra in her quarters, Curio interrupts their tryst to inform them that the king’s assassins are searching for Caesar. Fearing for his life, Cleopatra reveals her true identity and begs him to escape. Caesar vows to uphold his honor and fight, while Cleopatra prays to the gods to protect him, realizing that she’s fallen in love.

Engraving of Ptolemy XIII of Egypt based off a medallion found dated to 1st c B.C., Élisabeth Sophie Chéron (1648 – 1711).

ACT III

When King Ptolmey summons Cornelia from his harem to join him in his private quarters, Sextus ambushes the couple and attempts to kill him. However, Achillas swiftly disarms Sextus again and declares war. Rumors fly that Caesar has drowned in the Nile after he fled the palace. Cleopatra arrives at the Roman camp to rally Caesar’s army to march on the king’s palace. As King Ptolmey prepares his own troops, Achillas discovers King Ptolmey plans not to keep his promise and take Cornelia for his own. Achillas declares his new allegiance to Cleopatra.

The armies clash and the Alexandrians defeat the Romans taking Cleopatra captive. On the beach of the Nile, Caesar washes ashore, alive. Nearby, Sextus and Nireno find Achillas dead. Sextus and Nireno find Caesar, and the three regroup to storm King Ptolmey’s palace.

In prison, Cleopatra vows to face death with honor, by her own hand, just as Caesar rescues her. Cleopatra combines her forces with Caesar’s they attack the unsuspecting king, who believes he is victorious. Sextus finally delivers a fatal blow and frees his mother. Victorious at last, Caesar crowns Cleopatra the rightful Queen of Egypt and the lovers celebrate.