Spain Handel, Giulio Cesare in Egitto (concert performance): Soloists, il Pomo d’Oro / Francesco Corti (conductor). Teatro Real, Madrid, 21.2.2026. (JMI)
Cast:
Giulio Cesare – Jakub Józef Orliński
Cleopatra – Sabine Devielhe
Cornelia – Beth Taylor
Sesto – Rebecca Leggett
Tolomeo – Yuriy Mynenko
Achilla – Alex Rosen
Curio – Marco Saccardin
Nireno – Rémy Brès-Feuillet
Francesco Corti and il Pomo d’Oro regularly tour with Baroque operas, and they have established themselves as one of today’s leading ensembles. This time, the chosen opera was perhaps Handel’s most famous, Giulio Cesare in Egitto, and the production has now arrived at Teatro Real after performances in Paris, Vienna, Hamburg, Budapest, Barcelona and Oviedo.
In short, it was an exceptional opportunity for opera lovers – a magnificent occasion in which Francesco Corti, conducting from the harpsichord, shone brightly. Marc Minkowski, who will lead this opera in Valencia in a few days, will have a difficult time making us forget this wonderful version. As for il Pomo d’Oro, their virtuosity was as brilliant as their conductor.
The title role was sung by countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, and he gave a very good performance. I confess that I am not a fan of countertenor voices which are not exactly known for their beauty, although I must admit that Orliński’s voice is better than others I have heard. Even acknowledging all his merits, I would prefer the role to be sung by a mezzo-soprano, as was common years ago.
Sabine Devielhe as Cleopatra was splendid. Her voice is not large but it is very beautiful, and she sings with exquisite taste. Her interpretations of the arias ‘V’adoro pupille’ and ‘Piangerò la sorte mia’ were superb and moving from beginning to end.
Also noteworthy was Beth Taylor as Cornelia, Pompey’s widow, who sang with excellent taste and a voice perfectly suited to the tessitura which calls for a contralto. Rebecca Legett as Sesto, Pompey’s son, was also convincing and very expressive in her singing. Her voice is attractive although not large, but this is not necessary here.
Ptolemy, Cleopatra’s brother, was sung by countertenor Yuriy Mynenko, and again his voice is among the best that one hears in this particular range. In the secondary roles, Alex Rosen was an adequate Achilla, as were another countertenor, Rémy Brès-Feuillet, singing Nireno and Marco Saccardin who sang Curio.
The Teatro Real was completely sold out
José M. Irurzun
Featured Image: Conductor Francesco Corti and il Pomo d’Oro © J. del Real