Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar
A Baroque opera by Georg Friedrich Händel

Composer Georg Friedrich Händel
Librettist Nicola Francesco Haym
Musical director and conductor Risto Joost
Conductor Aleksandr Brazhnyk
Director Elmo Nüganen
Set designer Kristjan Suits
Costume designer Kristine Pasternaka (Latvian National Opera)
Movement director Janek Savolainen
Lighting designer Rene Liivamägi
Director’s assistant Merle Jalakas

Cast Martin Karu or Dara Savinova (Swedish Royal Opera), Pirjo Jonas or Maria Listra, Ivo Posti or Annaliisa Pillak, Tuuri Dede or Karmen Puis, Oliver Kuusik or Rasmus Kull or Karis Trass (NO Estonia), Simo Breede or Taavi Tampuu, Ka Bo Chan or Karis Trass (NO Estonia), Märt Jakobson or Kristjan Häggblom
Vanemuine opera choir and symphony orchestra


The powerful ruler and military commander Julius Caesar is on a war campaign to Egypt when he meets the 19-year-old Cleopatra and falls in love. In her desire to rule Egypt, Cleopatra decides to seduce the enemy who tries to conquer her land, and claim the throne with the help of Caesar. The plan seems perfect but it has a fatal flaw. She did not plan on falling in love. In the turmoil of war, intrigues and chaos, Cleopatra and Caesar develop deep feelings for each other.

Written in 1724, this opera by G. F. Händel is considered a pearl among Baroque operas that has withstood the test of time and is frequently produced in major opera houses even today. This is the first production of Julius Caesar at the Vanemuine Theatre.

In opera, Handel’s era was the golden age of castratos. Julius Caesar, too, has many roles meant for castratos. Today, these roles can be sung by countertenors or female vocalists. For the first time in the history of Estonian musical theatre, the starring roles are sung by three Estonian countertenors: Martin Karu, Ivo Posti and Ka Bo Chan, who has lived in Estonia for 30 years already. The second cast is comprised solely of female artists – instead of countertenors, the roles feature Sandra Laagus, Annaliisa Pillak and Karis Trass from the Estonian National Opera. Ideally, this could be an utterly different opera experience.
– musical director and chief conductor Risto Joost

Premiere on November 4th 2023 at the Vanemuine Theatre Small Building
Language: Italian
Surtitles: Estonian, English