One of the most famous love affairs of all time inspired George Frideric Handel to compose his opera "Giulio Cesare in Egitto" some 300 years ago. Directed by David McVicar, the music drama about the Roman general Julius Caesar and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra premiered at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on Saturday evening. After the nearly four-hour performance, conducted by Alessandro Quarta, the audience gave a standing ovation.

"Giulio Cesare in Egitto"

McVicar's production, which premiered at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2005, has aged somewhat, despite its visual effects and dazzling colors. However, Robert Jones's Baroque-inspired sets remain impressive.

Even more compelling than the direction that evening were the voices. The renowned French countertenor Christophe Dumaux sang the title role. The seductive Cleopatra, who initially pursued the powerful statesman out of calculation before discovering her love for him, appeared fresher and more agile. The Russian soprano Elena Tsallagova shone in this multifaceted role, also displaying considerable comedic talent.

The British mezzo-soprano Stephanie Wake-Edwards movingly portrayed Cornelia, the widow of Pompeo, Giulio Cesare's murdered adversary. The role of her son Sesto, who, along with his mother, was caught in the crossfire of the power struggle between Cleopatra and her brother Tolomeo, was sung by the expressive Italian mezzo-soprano Martina Baroni.

The discovery of the evening was the Iranian-Canadian countertenor Cameron Shahbazi, internationally acclaimed as a promising talent. Vocally outstanding and possessing a charismatic stage presence, he presented himself as Tolomeo, who is ultimately killed by Sesto. The American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel sang the role of Tolomeo's self-serving advisor Achilla, who ultimately switched sides.

With early music expert Quarta conducting, the opera house orchestra succeeded in highlighting the dramatic contrasts in Handel's score – even though the Deutsche Oper is not an ideal Baroque stage due to its size.

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