'Julius Caesar' 9 / Händel 'Venere bella' 'Al lampo dell'armi' * ENO * [in English]

Ninth of *selected* excerpts from the English National Opera's production of Georg Friedrich Händel's 'Julius Caesar' ('Giulio Cesare in Egitto') [1984]. This version uses an excellent English translation by Brian Trowell of the libretto from the Italian original by Nicola Haym. Productions such as this one make a strong case for viable - nay, enjoyable and intelligible - English-language versions of non-English language operas.

Dame Janet Baker leads an excellent cast in performing this Baroque masterpiece, and holds forth marvellously, dispensing with aplomb ornamentations galore - besides creating a more three-dimensional Cesare.

In this excerpt, Cleopatra sings, 'Venus, fair lady, one favour send me' ('Venere bella, per un istante'). She is pretending to be her 'maid', 'Lydia' and hopes that Cupid does his job when Caesar visits. Caesar is smitten at once, but has to leave Cleopatra as duty calls - a plot to kill him is discovered and he must take action on this. And then Cleopatra reveals her real identity to Caesare just before he goes off. Caesar sings 'In anger and fury' ('Al lampo dell'armi') just before leaving for battle.

Julius Caesar . . . Janet Baker
Cleopatra . . . Valerie Masterson

Chorus & Orchestra of the English National Opera
Victor Morris, Chorus Master
Charles Mackerras, Conductor
John Copley, Producer (Director)

Recorded at Limehouse Studios in 1984
in London's Docklands

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Music

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