GIULIO CESARE - Georg Friedrich Handel

Direction notes

Review of Julius Caesar at the IU Opera Theatre From 10-26-02, for 10-29 and 10-31

The IU Opera Theatre is presenting a creatively staged, dramatically involving and gorgeously sung production of George Frederic Handel's Julius Caesar.
The set filled with pyramids. Some are plain and some have eyes. There are giant walls of polished granite, gossamer curtains and fairy tale cascades of flower petals. On the backdrop there are shadow projections of a giant cat and of a massive sphinx.
Guest director Stefano Vizioli has plenty of interesting action. There is some that is simply appropriate and efficient stage business and a great deal that helps to further the drama and our insights into the characters. The IU production proves that Handel operas aren't unwieldy static affairs that simply offer opportunities for fancily ornamented arias. In fact one of the hallmarks of the opera is the growth and change of the principals.

The IU Opera Theatre's production of Handel's Julius Caesar plays this Friday and Saturday nights. This is a hallmark production that in coming years people will be talking about and looking back to fondly.

George Walker, WFIU

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