Handel's 'Giulio Cesare', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. 'Graham Pushee sings with utmost bravura, fire and clarity ...'

<< -- 4 -- Robert Anderson A DAZZLING 'TOUR DE FORCE'

At the start of Act 3, Stephen Bennett as Ptolemy's general Achilla has decided in disgust to join Cleopatra. Though he is slain for his pains, it is good to hear a bass voice at last [listen -- DVD 2 track 2, 0:00-1:00, 'Dal fulgor di questa spada']. It might seem that the odds are now stacked too heavily against Caesar and Cleopatra. He has had to swim the Mediterranean from a balcony and is presumed drowned. She has been captured by her loathsome brother and would appear finally to have lost Egypt and the crown. But the fates scheme tirelessly, and ultimately they are united in a duet as euphonious as it is carefree [listen -- DVD 2 track 22, 0:19-1:53, 'Caro! più amabile beltà' (Act III)]. Caesarion, one must assume, is hardly nine months away.

Yvonne Kenny (Cleopatra) and Graham Pushee (Cesare) in 'Caro! più amabile beltà'. DVD screenshot © EuroArts Music International GmbH

Handel: Giulio Cesare - Live from the Sydney Opera House

2053599 DVD9, DVD5 4:3 fullscreen PAL region 0 (worldwide) (2 discs) PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 NEW RELEASE 208' 1994 Opera Australia, 2005 EuroArts Music International GmbH

Graham Pushee, Giulio Cesare; Richard Alexander, Curio; Rosemary Gunn, Cornelia; Elizabeth Campbell, Sesto; Yvonne Kenny, Cleopatra; Andrew Dalton, Tolomeo; Stephen Bennett, Achilla; Rodney Gilchrist, Nireno; Dancers of the Opera Australia; The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra; Richard Hickox, conductor; Francisco Negrin, stage director; Anthony Baker, set design; Gregory Nash, choreography; Peter Butler, TV producer and director; Elmar Kruse, DVD executive producer

George Frideric Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto (1724, libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym) (Opera in three acts). Recorded live at the Sydney Opera House in June 1994

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