Gary Thor Wedow, music director
Robin Guarino, stage director
Allen Moyer, set designer
Linda Pisano, costume designer

Grace Skinner, Cesare
Virginia Mims, Cleopatra
Emily Warren, Sesto
Yujia Chen, Cornelia
Steele Fitzwater, Achilla
Blake Beckemeyer, Nireno
Drew Comer, Curio

Mr. Beckemeyer makes his IU Opera debut in Giulio Cesare by G.F. Handel. This is a brand-new production. From the marketing materials, “It’s 48 BC, and Egypt is roiling. Ptolemy, Cleopatra’s devious brother, has seized the throne, and Cleopatra will do whatever it takes to get it back. Enter mighty Cesare—the ultimate king or queen maker—fresh from his victory over his greatest rival, Pompeo, and looking to add Egypt to his list of conquests for the Roman Empire.

Will Cesare choose to side with Ptolemy, who brings him Pompeo’s head on a platter? Or will it be Cleopatra, who uses her wiles and breathtaking beauty to entice Cesare into getting her everything she wants—including him.

Passion, politics, glorious music, and one of opera’s greatest seduction scenes—Giulio Cesare was a triumph from its first performance and remains Handel’s most popular opera. Look forward to a riveting (and surprising!) production from our artistic team.”