Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto

Giulio Cesare in Egitto, premiered in London in 1724, stands as a favourite among Handel’s operas. Compelling and captivating in its blend of politics and passion – and of high drama and high spirits – it centres on two charismatic historical figures: Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. 

For this complete recording, countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński makes his debut as the triumphant and shrewd Roman leader, who, in his most celebrated aria, ‘Va tacito e nascosto’, lauds the stealth of the hunter. Opposite him is the soprano Sabine Devieilhe, exploring and illuminating the multiple facets of the seductive and resourceful Egyptian queen. They are joined by mezzo-sopranos Beth Taylor and Rebecca Leggett as Cornelia and Sesto, widow and son of Caesar’s murdered rival Pompeo, countertenor Yuriy Mynenko as Cleopatra’s dangerously mercurial brother Tolomeo, and bass Alex Rosen as the Egyptian general Achilla. The orchestra is Il Pomo d’Oro and Francesco Corti conducts the performance from the harpsichord.

The recording was made in February 2026 in Warsaw – the city where Jakub Józef Orliński was born and grew up. It grew out of a concert tour that also encompassed Vienna, Paris, Budapest, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Essen, Barcelona, Madrid and Oviedo. 

Speaking in Warsaw, Francesco Corti said: “It has been quite amazing to see how much our interpretation and the performances have evolved. Every concert hall, every audience really made us rethink this score and appreciate how beautifully composed it is … Handel has a sense of humanity that remains very moving today. The characters are strongly defined – each has their own musical style. And within this style, there is a huge diversity of emotion – the opera really is a showcase for Handel’s emotional palette. We are lucky to have a fantastic cast of very distinctive voices. Every character gets a specific tone, a specific way of saying things, and a specific colour. And then we have Il Pomo d’Oro's wonderful sound and its ability to accompany singers, which is one of the great qualities of this orchestra ….” 

Corti, the cast of singers and the players of Il Pomo d’Oro were enthusiastically welcomed by reviewers from media around Europe: the conductor for his dynamism and sense of drama; Jakub Józef Orliński for the dazzling radiance of his performance, his breath control, dynamic shading and inventive embellishments; Sabine Devieilhe for a spellbinding vocal and theatrical interpretation, offering both lyricism and virtuosity as it captured Cleopatra’s many moods; Beth Taylor for her sumptuous tone, expressivity and charisma; Rebecca Leggett for the beauty and precision of her singing as she conveyed both vulnerability and determination; Yuriy Mynenko for the strength, agility and range of colours in his portrayal of a volatile character, and Alexander Rosen for his ability to combine resonant authority with vocal pyrotechnics while projecting menace and ambition.