Presented in 1724 as part of a Royal Academy of Music’s London season, Giulio Cesare was a significant hit and remains Handel’s most performed opera today. A mix of historical fact and romantic fiction, the role of the victorious Roman general was tailored to the vocal talents of the famous alto castrato Senesino. Opposite him was a relatively new prima donna in town, the soprano Francesca Cuzzoni, known for her dazzling coloratura rather than her stage presence (Burney described her as “short and squat, with a doughy cross face, but fine complexion; … not a good actress; dressed ill; and was silly and fantastical”).
With a cast that included the popular castrato Gaetano Berenstadt as Tolomeo, Anastasia Robinson (by then secretly married to the Earl of Peterborough) as Cornelia, widow of Pompey the Great, and Handel’s oldest friend, the soprano Margherita Durastanti as Cornelia’s headstrong son Sesto, audiences were in for a string of hit arias.
This latest recording from The English Concert under conductor Harry Bicket is a faithful rendition of the complete score as it would have been heard on opening night. It’s a lightly sprung account with lean string sound, delicate woodwind and a fine quartet of horns (the orchestra comprises just 30 players). It’s most carefully shaped by Bicket who knows the opera inside out.
French countertenor Christophe Dumaux, who has excelled in the past as the villainous Tolomeo, here steps up to the role of Cesare. Avoiding overt histrionics, his tone is pleasantly straight, his coloratura nimble and there’s plenty of firepower when called for. His Cleopatra is British soprano Louise Alder, a fine singing actress and rather less arch than some in the role. The vocal line is beautifully connected all through the range and there’s a lovely creamy top to the voice (try her seamless Piangerò la sorte mia).
Scottish mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor sings Cornelia, one of two recordings coming out with her singing the role (Il Pomo d’Oro’s is likely due late this year or early next). With the bottom notes of a contralto, she brings considerable pathos and vocal nobility to many of the score’s most moving numbers. Irish soprano Paula Murrihy is a bright-toned Sesto, American countertenor John Holiday a suitably spiky Tolomeo and Australian baritone Morgan Pearse a rock-solid Achilla.
If occasionally you’d like conductor and soloists to throw caution to the wind, there’s much to enjoy here and it’s been captured in warm, natural sound.
Composer: Handel
Work: Giulio Cesare
Performers: Christophe Dumaux ct, Louise Alder s, The English Concert/Harry Bicket
Label: Linn CKD792 (3CD)
Comments
Log in to start the conversation.