Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Julius Caesar in Egypt), to give the opera its rarely used full name, was composed by Handel in 1723–24 and first performed at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, London, in 1724. It remains one of the most popular of Handel's Italian-language operas, enjoyed for its many gorgeous melodies, inspired orchestration, and exciting plot: the time-honored story of Caesar and Cleopatra in Egypt.

One of the composer's mature works, Giulio Cesare offers an impressive stage spectacl...