Giulio Cesare - in cinemas

Caesar has defeated Pompey at Pharsalia in Greece and pursued him to Egypt: the events forming the historical basis for the action took place in 18 – 17 BC.

Act 1

Egypt welcomes Caesar who has come to do battle with Pompey.  On behalf of Ptolemy (Tolomeo), ruler of Egypt, Achilla brings gifts to Caesar, including, to Caesar’s disgust, Pompey’s severed head.  Cornelia, Pompey’s wife, attempts to commit suicide and her son Sextus (Sesto) , swears to avenge his father. Cleopatra, equally disgusted, attempts to ally herself to Caesar against her brother Ptolemy.  Achilla boasts to Ptolemy that he will kill the Roman emperor, in return for Cornelia.   Sextus challenges Ptolemy to a duel but the Egyptian has the boy arrested and has his mother assigned to garden duties.  Achilla offers himself to Cornelia in return for her freedom.  She  rejects the idea with contempt.

Act 2

Cleopatra has arranged an elaborate set piece for the seduction of Caesar  It works as planned and Caesar is promised an assignation with ‘Lydia’. Meanwhile Cornelia, feverishly pursued by Achilla and Ptolemy, again attempts suicide but is restrained by her son.   Caesar and ‘Lydia’ meet in the garden where their increasingly friendly conversation is interrupted by the news that Caesar has been betrayed and people are seeking his death.  ‘Lydia’ discloses her true identity and tries to calm the situation, but she fails and begs Caesar to flee.  The emperor refuses and moves to confront his aggressors.  In another garden, Ptolemy confirms his desire for Cornelia and narrowly avoids being assassinated by Sextus, who is foiled by Achilla.  Ptolemy, after fighting Achilla over Cornelia, leaves for battle with the Romans.  His mother prevents Sextus from killing himself.

Act 3

Achilla betrays Ptolemy by placing his soldiers at Cleopatra’s disposal.  Ptolemy takes his sister prisoner, but just as Cleopatra is bidding farewell to her friends, Caesar arrives to save her.  Meanwhile Ptolemy is advancing upon Cornelia, whose son promptly enters to kill her assailant.  In Alexandria, Caesar and Cleopatra acknowledge Cornelia and Sextus as friends and proclaim their love for each other.  The opera ends with a celebration of peace.