The Grange Festival has unleashed a jaw-dropping take on Handel's Giulio Cesare, plunging audiences into a twisted world where colonial conquest meets dark comedy. Director David Alden's bold vision transforms the 18th-century opera into a nightmarish spectacle, replete with body bags and refugees – it's an unflinching commentary on the horrors of war. The production boasts a stellar cast, including Tim Mead as Cesare, Sarah Brady as the sultry Cleopatra, and Jess Dandy as the fiery Cornelia.
This opera is an unholy marriage of Handel's original work and modern-day satire, with characters that are both laugh-out-loud funny and terrifying in equal measure. The production is a masterclass in dark humour, complete with a skin-crawling scene involving snakes slithering through a tank – it's a moment that will leave you squirming in your seat! While the Early Opera Company under Christian Curnyn's direction sometimes struggled to match the cast's energy, the singers more than made up for it, injecting life into Handel's majestic score.
Alden's production is an unapologetic trip into the surreal world of Giulio Cesare. The set and costumes, bathed in Matthew Richardson's sharp lighting, are a feast for the eyes, while Tim Claydon's choreography – courtesy of a troupe of serpentine dancers – adds an extra layer of complexity to this thought-provoking opera. If you're a Handel aficionado or simply intrigued by the world of opera, then Alden's Giulio Cesare is an absolute must-see.