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Barry Millington's rating
Egypt's queen seduces the Raj in Giulio Cesare
By
Barry Millington
26 May 2009
When she first stole the show in 2005 with her stunning figure-hugging outfits and slinky dance routines, Danielle de Niese was standing in for the Cleopatra originally chosen for David McVicar’s Giulio Cesare. Now having won all hearts, including that of Gus Christie, the chairman of Glyndebourne, to whom she has become engaged, de Niese is a regular guest at the Sussex opera house.
This time round her Cleopatra is as winningly outrageous as ever. If it conforms to the stereotypical construction of the Egyptian queen as irredeemably brazen, the unhistorical slur is mitigated by McVicar’s updating to the days of the British Raj: the virtues of Rome, in relation to Egypt, are thus no less compromised than those of Britain in relation to India. It remains an entertaining show and Handel’s glorious music is well enough served.
The most stylish singing, however, comes from Sarah Connolly as Cesare, Patricia Bardon as a moving Cornelia and Stephanié d’Oustrac as an equally eloquent Sesto. Laurence Cummings draws deeply expressive playing from the OAE.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
