'Julius Caesar' 5 / Händel 'V'adoro pupille' * V MASTERSON * J BAKER * ENO * [in English]

Fifth 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 (Valerie Masterson), disguising herself as her 'maid,' 'Lydia,' sings 'Lamenting, complaining, of Caesar's disdaining' ('V'adoro, pupille' in the original) in flirtatious anticipation of Cesare's visit. Her aide, Nirenus, also appears in the scene.

Julius Caesar . . . Janet Baker
Cleopatra/Lydia . . . Valerie Masterson
Nirenus . . . Tom Emlyn Williams

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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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Julius
• Caesar
• Giulio
• Cesare
• in
• Egitto
• Handel
• Lamenting
• complaining
• v'adoro
• pupille
• Valerie
• Masterson
• Janet
• Baker
• ENO
• English
• National
• Opera
• Mackerras
• Copley

[HaroldHeslop]

Thanks. I clearly wasn't careful in my search. I've just been listening to more of your postings from this disc. Done in the days when they sang clearly at ENO - gone for ever, I fear.

[mariandelochs]

@HaroldHeslop

No problem! I've never been to the ENO, just have seen and heard them on DVD, but yes - they certainly sang so clearly in those days - one could dispense completely with having a libretto at hand. I also especially love 'Mary Stuart' with Dame Janet Baker (also uploaded several clips from that production on YouTube).

[HaroldHeslop]

Love the translation. Anyone know who did it?

[mariandelochs]

@HaroldHeslop

Hi there! From my info box posted below the video:

' This version uses an excellent English translation by Brian Trowell of the libretto from the Italian original by Nicola Haym. '

[UnnaturallyGreen]

I love the instrumental echoing of the melody... so beautiful, so sad....