Carl Heinrich Graun (1704–1759)

Cleopatra e Cesare

1–5 December 2021 Dutch Première

A production of the opera composed for the opening of Berlin’s court opera house in 1742 led by the General Director of English Touring Opera, James Conway and the British conductor Jonathan Peter Kenny.

Synopsis

Frederick the Great of Prussia dreamt of creating a court that was the cultural centre of Europe while he grew up at the arid, militaristic court of his father. With Carl Heinrich Graun’s magnificent Cleopatra e Cesare, composed for the opening of his new court opera house in 1742, he realised his dream.

Graun’s clashing characters are all flawed, and all full-blooded. Surprisingly, Frederick seems to be seen in the youthful, proud Tolomeo of Egypt, rather than in his mighty Roman foe who came, saw, and almost conquered. On the other hand are two richly characterised women: the Roman Cornelia, maddened by grief, and the sensual Cleopatra, who is surprised by love.

In this opera, each scene is a play with very high stakes, and each aria reveals new splendours. Rarely performed, richly endowed – it is one that every opera lover will want to experience.

Press

Production photos © Reinout Bos

Information

Dates:
1 December 2021
3 December 2021
5 December 2021

Venue:
Kees van Baarenzaal, Royal Conservatoire The Hague

A collaboration with the Early Music Departments of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and The Royal Conservatoire The Hague.

Creative team

Jonathan Peter Kenny
Conductor

James Conway
Director

Luca Stappers
Set & costume design

Tim van ‘t Hof
Light design

Valentina di Taranto
Language coaching

Marisa Grande
Embodiment coach

Aristide Moari
Assistant Conductor

Cast

Kris Ng
Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt

Maria Koshiishi
Giulio Cesare

Maria Koroleva/Idil Kutay
Cornelia, Pompeo’s widow

Gabe Clarke/Theodor Uggla
Tolomeo, Cleopatra’s brother

Lucie van Ree/Marion Dumeige*
Arsace, Arabic Prince, Cesare’s rival

Gita Rebeka Dirveika/Tinka Pypker
Lentulo, Tribune, Cesare’s friend

Michal Karski/Einar Gudmundsson
Achilla, Egyptian Prince, Tolomeo’s friend

Noelle Drost**/Sharon Tadmor
Sesto Pompeo, Pompeo’s and Cornelia’s son

*DNOA graduate
** Student KC

Book tickets

Tickets are free

The closing date for applications to join the programme next year is
Friday 19. January 2025.