ALL PROCEEDS SHARED BETWEEN: DementiaUK and Friends of Cley Church
We are delighted to be joined by The Suffolk Soloists and The Norfolk Handel Ensemble for a night at the Opera. Enjoy some of Handel’s greatest music in two abridged operas, Julius Caesar and Agrippina. The concert will feature highlights from both performances, including all the great arias, while ensuring the stories are told!
Julius Caesar is famous for his two visits to Britain, undertaken to glorify his reputation in Rome by fearlessly travelling to what the Romans believed was the most savage parts of Europe. Handel’s well-loved opera covers his romance with Cleopatra, which lasted until Caesar’s assassination. In the opera it’s love at first sight, and even though this love is threatened by Cleopatra’s brother, the lovers surmount all obstacles to be together, governing both the Roman Empire and Egypt.
Agrippina tells the story of the Roman Empire’s most evil plotter and schemer (substantially based on the true story of her relationship with Emperor Claudius) together with the role of Poppea, one of the most famous women of the Roman Empire. The story starts with Claudius returning from conquering Britain, although he was believed to have drowned in the rough seas of the English Channel.
Agrippina is considered the best of Handel’s early operas, written just before he came to England and built his reputation as one of England’s best-loved composers.
Musical Director Birgitta Kenyon
Suffolk Soloists
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt Jenny Haxell
Empress Agripinna Lucy Myers
Empress Poppea Catherine Orton
All proceeds from this concert will go towards restoring St Margaret’s Church, Cley and Dementia UK.
