A Baroque Netflix evening: Zurich’s star-studded Giulio Cesare

Cecilia Bartoli (Cleopatra) and ensemble

Max Emanuel Cenčić (Tolomeo) and Cecilia Bartoli (Cleopatra)

Ada Pesch (violin) and Carlo Vistoli (Giulio Cesare)

Max Emanuel Cenčić (Tolomeo) and Carlo Vistoli (Giulio Cesare)

Renato Dolcini (Achilla) and dancers

Max Emanuel Cenčić (Tolomeo) and Anne Sofie von Otter (Cornelia)

By Mengguang Huang, 30 March 2026

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“The dramaturgy of this production clearly prioritises the star turn over structural fidelity”

Reviewed at Opernhaus, Zurich on 28 March 2026

Handel, Giulio Cesare in Egitto, (Julius Caesar in Egypt) HWV 17

Zurich Opera

Gianluca Capuano, Conductor

Davide Livermore, Director, Set Designer

Mariana Fracasso, Costume Designer

Antonio Castro, Lighting Designer

Orchestra La Scintilla Zurich

D-Wok, Video

Carlo Vistoli, Giulio Cesare

Cecilia Bartoli, Cleopatra

Kangmin Justin Kim, Sesto

Anne Sofie von Otter, Cornelia

Max Emanuel Cenčić, Tolomeo

Renato Dolcini, Achilla

A Rosenkavalier in vivid hues opens the Zurich Opera season

Laura Servidei, 21st September

Lydia Steier stages Strauss’ masterpiece to open Zurich Opera’s first premiere under the new artistic direction – a triumphant success.

****1

Handel’s Serse as a quirky modern tale in Zurich

Laura Servidei, 29th September

Christophe Dumaux shines as Arsamene in Nina Russi’s enjoyable production of Handel’s masterpiece revived at the Opernhaus Zürich under the baton of Enrico Onofri.

***11

Anna Pirozzi shines as a queen bee Turandot

Laura Servidei, 3rd July

Anna Pirozzi and Piero Pretti bring Italian sunshine to Baumgarten’s confused production at the Opernhaus Zürich.

**111

A feast for the eyes and ears: Lehár’s Merry Widow in Zurich

Thomas Schacher, 20th February

Barrie Kosky stages the famous Viennese operetta as a whirlwind spectacle. Marlis Petersen shines in the title role vocally and theatrically. Michael Volle does not live up to expectations.

****1

Werther in the sky at Opernhaus Zürich

Laura Servidei, 23rd January

Benjamin Bernheim leads a very good cast in a revival of Tatjana Gürbaca's interesting 2017 production.

***11

All at sea: Herzog's nautical Pearl Fishers at Opernhaus Zürich

Laura Servidei, 29th June

The Opernhaus Zürich revives a 2011 production of Bizet’s second most famous opera, with Javier Camarena as Nadir.

***11

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Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.