Connecticut Virtuosi & Lyric Opera Presents “Giulio Cesare in Egitto”

The Relevance of Opera in 2022
Connecticut Virtuosi & Lyric Opera Presents “Giulio Cesare in Egitto”

On Saturday, performers were rehearsing for the upcoming opera “Giulio Cesare in Egitto''. The opera focuses on the lives of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and the Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Although their interactions began as professional to ensure their success as leaders, soon they became romantically entangled. This opera explores the evolution of their relationship.

Although initially intriguing in its premise, opera as a whole seems to be misunderstood by those who are not familiar with it. However, as Rebecca de Almeida, a mezzo-soprano playing the role of Caesar, puts it, “Even though this story is not new, it happens all the time. Opera shows human emotion through music.” Characters Cleopatra and Julius Caesar in “Giulio Cesare in Egitto” experience love, loss, and joy, which all viewers have experienced and are able to empathize with.

The opera’s Conductor Adrian Sylveen and Stage Director Alan Mann work together to bring “Giulio Cesare in Egitto” to life with an exceptional female cast with performers including Madison Marie McIntosh, Kelly Whitesell, Julie Rumbold, and Rebecca de Almeida.

To learn more about “Giulio Cesare” or to purchase tickets to the Connecticut Virtuosi & Lyric Opera’s performance, visit https://thevirtuosi.ticketleap.com/.

Cast:
Cesare - Madison Marie McIntosh (May 6, May 15), Rebecca Batista deAlmeida (May 22)
Cleopatra - Kelly Whitesell (May 6, May 15), Olivia Wallace (May 22)
Cornelia - Julie Rumbold
Sesto - Rachel Abrams
Tolomeo - Samuel Bowen
Achilla - Ivan Conrad
Curio - Steve Fasano
Nirena - SarahAnn Duffy

Performances:
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 7:30 pm - Opening Night: Trinity-On-Main, 69 Main St. New Britain, CT 06051 - TICKETS >>>

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 6 pm - Second Performance: Garde Art Center 325 State St.
New London, CT 06320 - TICKETS >>>

SUNDAY, MAY 22, 6 pm - Final Performance: Seaverns Hall, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol St. Hartford, CT 06106 - TICKETS >>>

‌Ticket Information

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ABOUT CONNECTICUT VIRTUOSI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, the state’s premier professional chamber orchestra, is dedicated to presenting both traditional and contemporary classical chamber works to the public. The Orchestra, led by Founder and Artistic Director Adrian Sylveen, continues to grow in size and repertoire, presenting approximately 35 times a year in many major performing arts centers throughout Connecticut and New York. The organization consists of 27 professional musicians and administrative staff of four.

The mission of the Orchestra is to preserve and perpetuate the great traditions of orchestral music through the expansion of its public performance season, its education series, and by showcasing the excellence of regional and international talent. In its choice of repertoire, special attention is given to music from Eastern Europe.

The Orchestra collaborates on many projects with the New Britain Chorale, Central Connecticut State University, Middletown Concert Association, New York’s Chopin Foundation, and others. The Orchestra co-produces fully-staged opera productions with Connecticut Lyric Opera. In addition to performances, the Orchestra enriches the community by providing free tickets to local schools and hosting lectures on orchestral music. A frequent guest at the Kosciusko Foundation’s Chamber Music Series, in 2003 the Orchestra was invited to perform at the Gala Concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s papacy.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT LYRIC OPERA
Connecticut Lyric Opera (CLO) is the state’s leading opera company - performing to thousands across Connecticut in Hartford, Middletown, New Britain, and New London. CLO has earned the reputation as an innovative company that is renowned for its world-class singers, phenomenal concert-quality orchestra, and programming choices that go beyond the well-loved standards of the repertoire to include lesser-performed yet equally compelling works.

Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded CLO with a $50,000 grant as part of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocation. CLO is one of nine arts organizations in Connecticut, and one of only 27 opera companies nationwide, to receive this grant.

Together with its musical partner, the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, CLO created the Greve Opera Academy and Music Festival in Italy (2015) and the Summer Opera Institute in Farmington. Singers from CLO's celebrated Young Artist Program have gone on to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera Covent Garden, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, the Salzburg Festival and other major companies.