Handel: “Julius Caesar in Egypt” / René Jacobs, Jennifer Larmour

This is an Opera seria composed by Handel for the “Royal Academy of Music” in 1724. “Royal Academy of Music” was an opera company founded in 1719 with Handel as its musical director. Later it engaged in fierce competition with its rival company, the “Opera of the Nobility” (music director was Nicola Porpora) and the “Royal Academy of Music” won. At the time ”Royal Academy of Music” was supported by three star singers, castrato Senesino, soprano Francesca Cuzzoni, and mezzo-soprano Faustina Bordoni, while the “Opera of the Nobility” competed by inviting Farinelli, but failed. The film “Farinelli Il Castrato” depicts this situation.

Now, as for René Jacobs’ CD (released in 1991), Jennifer Larmore sings the role of Caesar, originally played by Senezino (Castrato). The other two castrato roles, Tolomeo and Nireno, are sung by countertenors Derek Lee Ragin and Dominique Visse. In addition to the fact that this work is from Handel’s heyday, the storyline is interesting and, above all, the arias sung by each of the characters are highly accomplished. Jennifer Larmore as Caesar, Barbara Schlick, who sings Cleopatra, and the Concerto Cologne, who provide the supporting cast, are also excellent. After the overture, there is an aria by Caesar followed by the chorus of the people, and then the famous recitative of “I saw, I came, I won (Veni, vidi, vici)”. On this CD, Jacobs effectively uses theorbo to accompany the recitative. #baroque #handel #opera #片山俊幸