Review: Giulio Cesare, Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, Saturday, September 28th, 2019

OPERA North’s production of “the greatest pre-Mozart opera” proved a hit with audiences and critics when premiered at Leeds Grand in January 2012. Director Tim Albery has notched up 16 Opera North productions including Giulio Cesare. Now he returns to oversee this revival of George Frideric Handel’s operatic masterpiece. Counter tenor James Laing likewise makes a welcome return to reprise his chilling portrayal of the psychotic Tolomeo, King of Egypt.

Leslie Travers’ modern costumes and futuristic stage settings are just as arresting as in 2012. A huge rampart-like structure rotated by Egyptian “slaves” swings open to become a shimmering gold palace interior with staircases and labyrinthine passages, a prison, or battlefield studded with tall metallic spears. Surprisingly perhaps, the gleaming imagery which feels as though inspired by a James Bond movie, is at one with the purity of Handel’s florid musical score written almost 300 years ago. Albery’s judicious pruning dispenses with the choruses and many recitatives to concentrate the action into just over three hours.

The Baroque style is superbly captured by an accomplished international cast conducted by Christian Curnyn. Swedish mezzo Marie Sanner plays the Roman Emperor at war with Pompeo. French soprano Lucie Chartin is the alluring Queen Cleopatra who struggles with Tolomeo, her brother and husband, for the Egyptian throne. Laing’s icy timbre and 12 inch long golden finger nail extensions - a symbol of power - impart a menacing edge to his scenes. French counter tenor Paul-Antoine Benos-Djian is warmer of tone as Nireno, Tolomeo and Cleopatra’s servant. Mezzo Heather Lowe sounds ravishing as Sestro who avenges the death of his father, Pompeo.

The plot may be convoluted but the production is never less than visually compelling. Paramount though, are the gorgeous vocal textures cushioned by a pellucidly clear orchestral backdrop of modern and authentic period instruments.

More performances at Leeds Grand Theatre on October 5, 11, 15 and 17.

Geoffrey Mogridge