Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel [Box set]

Maureen Forrester (Artist), Eugenia Earle (Artist), George Frideric Handel (Composer), Julius Rudel (Conductor), Beverly Sills (Performer), Norman Treigle (Performer), Spiro Malas (Performer), Michael Devlin (Performer), Beverly Wolff (Performer), New York City Opera Chorus and Orchestra (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Beverly Sills, Norman Treigle, Spiro Malas, Michael Devlin, Beverly Wolff, et al.
• Conductor: Julius Rudel
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003EOP
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,190 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Overture

2. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Viva, viva il nostro Alcide!

3. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Presti omai l'Egizia terra

4. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Curio, Cesare venna e vide e vinse

5. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Sua reggia Tolomeo

6. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Giulio, che miri?

7. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Empio, dirò, tu sei

8. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Già torna in sè

9. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Priva son d'ogni conforto

10. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act I, Scene 1: Vani sono i lamenti

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 1: E seguisti, o Niren

2. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 1: Taci! - che fia?

3. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 1: V'adoro, pupille

4. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 1: Non ha in cielo

5. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 1: Più amabile beltà

6. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 2: Deh, piangete, o mesti lumi

7. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 2: Se a me non sei crudele

8. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 2: Sì spietata

9. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 2: Madre! Ferma!

10. Giulio Cesare in Egitto, opera, HWV 17: Act II, Scene 2: Cessa omai di sospirare!

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A document of a superstar in a signature role!, January 5, 2000

By 

K. King "Stitchinguy" (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel (Audio CD)

Beverly Sills, in her autobiography "Bubbles", acknowledges that the role of Cleopatra was the turning point of her career, after years of "utility singing" at City Opera. This recording documents the wildly successful 1966 production that turned Sills into an "overnight sensation." Though Handel purists today may find fault with its lack of completeness or style, the recording remains important not only for Sills' radiant Cleopatra, but also for capturing the late Norman Treigle's characterization in the title role. Treigle was particularly riveting in the theater and puzzlingly under-recorded. Other roles in the recording are filled lavishly with Beverly Wolff, Spiro Malas, and the great contralto Maureen Forrester. But again, this recording is Sills' show all the way. Her rendition of "V'adoro, pupille" is one of the great moments in opera--any opera--with golden trills in abundance and a finely spun, luminous legato that halts your own breath. No wonder crowds were on their feet at City Opera when this production was first mounted, cheering loudly and long--and deservedly so. It's a disc no collection should be without, and at a friendly price, to boot!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Untraditional but Wonderful Nevertheless!, July 2, 2005

By 

Steven Muni "Foothills Bear" (Sutter Creek, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel (Audio CD)

Although this opera was originally written for a castrati in the title role, and is usually sung today by a counter-tenor or a mezzo-soprano, American bass-baritone Norman Treigle takes the role and runs with it in this 1966 (recorded in 1967) N.Y. City Opera production. This is Handel's most performed opera today, and while critics may debate whether or not it is his "best", it is full of glorious music.
And it is superbly sung. The supporting case is uniformly excellent. Mezzo-soprano Beverly Wolff is an ardent and fiercly vengeful Sextus, Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester has a wonderful richnes of tone as Cornelia, Pompey's widow, bass Spiro Malas is appropriately malevolent as Cleopatra's brother Ptolemy, and baritone Dominic Cossa brings tremendous musicality to the small role of Achillas, Ptolemy's military advisor.
And then there is the young Beverly Sills in the role of Cleopatra, the second of three roles that made her a superstar. (She had come to the opera-going public's attention in The Ballad of Baby Doe, but this is the role that put her into the top ranks, followed by Massenet's Manon which enshrined her up with Sutherland and Caballe.) She and Treigle simply tear up the stage, and their duets are just remarkable, making you think that if Handel had heard this version he would have rewritten the role of Caesar for a bass-baritone!
National Public Radio's "Curious Listener's Guide to Opera" lists it as the best available recording of the opera, and while purists might disagree, it's certainly my favorite. Well worth buying.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sills and Treigle are dazzling...., November 3, 2000

By 

Bob Smith "Baron Bob" (Port Crane, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel (Audio CD)

When I discovered this recording was available, I immediately ordered it. As a fan of Sills, I had read all about the hoopla over her City Opera 'discovery' as Cleopatra and wanted to hear what the fuss was all about. Was it warranted? Oh yes, indeed it was...and then some.

This 2 disc set recorded in 1967, one year after her tiumphant debut in this role, needs to be in every serious opera lovers collection. I can truthfully say I have NEVER heard a soprano, who at the peak of her powers, so completely dominates a recording with such impeccable understanding of the Baroque and sings with constant beauty and purity of tone.

While all performers excel here under the marvelous direction of conductor Julius Rudel, make no mistake, it is Beverly Sills whose performance leaves her listener limp with delight and in awe of such a force of nature.

While most operaphiles are familiar with the aria 'Piangero la sorte mia' (which Sills delivers with great control and warmth of tone, displaying a fiery B section capitulating with some lovely ornamentation), it is her Second Act aria, 'V'adoro, pupille', which caused me to repeat the aria and sit there, amazed.

This listener has NEVER heard a finer example of the Baroque aria. Sills lush and bright soprano lovingly deliver arching and limpid phrases such as no other soprano has done as effective. This simple but achingly lovely melody is suddenly transformed to a showpiece; Sills incredible trills and exciting ornamentation making it all the more poignant and absolutely mesmerising.

Why Mr. Treigle was never invited to debut at the Metropolitan is a puzzlement. Certainly no bass had a warmer and secure a tone, impeccable coloratura (all the more impressive as most basses are clumsy at best) and 'jump off the disc' excitement. How fortunate are those people who heard this man on the stage! Partnered with Sills, one hears immediately why these two were such a formidible team in opera after opera.

Certainly there is no slacking in the fine singing of Maureen Forrester and Beverly Wolff as well. No surprise here as to why these two singers had successful years with City Opera and elsewhere. Spiro Malas as Sextus is a treasure vocally.

Under Rudel's direction, all the glories of the Baroque are pulled out in a lovely reading of the score, tasteful and appropriate ornamentation and a chorus whose blend is both exciting and surprising.

I urge any listener; opera fan or those just curious about Sills role here, or folks who have an affinity for the Baroque, to purchase this invaluable recording. One will see most quickly, why there has been (thankfully) a resurgence of interest in the Baroque works and their seemingly simple, yet complex beauty and texts.