Fri Sep 18 2026 – 7:00 PM – 10:05 PM
Rahvusteater Vanemuine, Väike Maja, Tartu (Vanemuise tänav 45A)
The Vanemuine Theatre will stage its inaugural production of Georg Friedrich Handel’s baroque masterpiece Julius Caesar on September 18. With a cast that blends traditional countertenor voices and all‑female performers, the show promises a fresh take on one of Handel’s most celebrated operas.
Production Team
- Musical director and conductor: Risto Joost
- Conductor: Aleksandr Brazhnyk
- Director: Elmo Nüganen
- Set designer: Kristjan Suits
- Costume designer: Kristine Pasternaka (Latvian National Opera)
- Movement director: Janek Savolainen
- Lighting designer: Rene Liivamägi
Cast
The principal roles, traditionally written for castrati, are performed by Estonia’s own countertenors Martin Karu, Ivo Posti, and Ka Bo Chan. A second lineup features female artists Sandra Laagus, Annaliisa Pillak, and Karis Trass, offering audiences two distinct interpretations of the same narrative.
Synopsis
Set during Caesar’s Egyptian campaign, the opera follows the doomed romance between the 19‑year‑old Cleopatra and the Roman general. Handel’s intricate score, coupled with the dramatic libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, captures the political intrigue and personal passions that defined their brief alliance.
Why It Matters
Handel, one of the great classical music composers, has written works that endure in major opera houses worldwide. This production marks the first time Vanemuine will host Julius Caesar, and the first time Estonian countertenors will assume the traditionally castrated roles. The combination of a classical concert atmosphere and innovative casting makes this event a must‑see for lovers of baroque opera and contemporary performance practice.
Tickets are available now through sviby.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Handel’s timeless music in a fresh, culturally resonant setting.
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