Industry

The 2025 Opera Season at Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna opened in grand style with the highly anticipated new production of Giulio Cesare by Händel, directed by Chiara Muti and conducted by Ottavio Dantone with Accademia Bizantina. The premiere, held on January 17, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, with audiences and critics alike praising every aspect of the production, from the exquisite direction and evocative set design to the stellar performances and masterful orchestration. A second performance followed on January 19, confirming the show’s resounding success.

Set in a striking metaphysical space that evokes the golden sands and precious metals of ancient Egypt, as well as the enigmatic masks of the pharaohs, the production created a visually immersive experience. The powerful cast brought Händel’s timeless drama to life with extraordinary artistry. Raffaele Pe embodied the titular role of Giulio Cesare with charisma and vocal brilliance, while Marie Lys shone as Cleopatra, captivating the audience with both her vocal dexterity and commanding stage presence. The cast was further elevated by Delphine Galou as Cornelia, Filippo Mineccia as Tolomeo, Davide Giangregorio as Achilla, Federico Fiorio as Sesto, Andrea Gavagnin as Nireno, and Clemente Antonio Daliotti as Curio.

The production’s visual and aesthetic elements were equally outstanding. Alessandro Camera’s set design transported the audience to a world that blended history with abstraction, while Tommaso Lagattolla’s costumes exquisitely reflected the opera’s grandeur. The evocative lighting by Vincent Longuemare further enhanced the storytelling, intensifying the emotional impact of each scene.

Conductor Ottavio Dantone led Accademia Bizantina with his signature precision and expressive depth, creating a rich, nuanced interpretation of Händel’s score. The orchestra’s masterful execution brought out the vibrant contrasts of the composition, from its most intimate arias to its grand dramatic moments.

"Giulio Cesare is a perfect fusion of history and myth, where music and drama reach their highest form of expression," Dantone remarked. "Händel’s orchestration, enriched with harp, theorbo, viola da gamba, oboes, flute, and horn, offers a kaleidoscope of timbres that shape the characters and transport the audience into the heart of the narrative."

Director Chiara Muti crafted a deeply symbolic and emotionally charged vision of Giulio Cesare, drawing inspiration from the opera’s historical and political undertones.
"Cesare is the embodiment of marble-like justice and temperance—an unambiguous, almost dehumanized figure, elevated to divine status in Rome’s imperial narrative," Muti explained. "Händel composed this opera as an homage to King George I and the Hanoverian dynasty, and his music conveys both grandeur and psychological depth. Through the power of melody, he achieves the same emotional intensity that Shakespeare captured through words."