Opera Omaha Presents Giulio Cesare Performed by The English Concert

April 29th, 2025

Opera Omaha brings the epic tale of the life of Julius Ceasar to the local community as part of The English Concert’s American tour. A tale of intrigue, Giulio Cesare is an opera told in three acts, chronicling Julius Ceasar’s exploits in Egypt. 

Composed by George Frideric Handel, regarded as one of the most influential English composers of all time, it wasn’t long before the opera’s popularity began to grow. Today, Giulio Cesare is a classic and beloved baroque opera that continues to captivate audiences wherever it is performed. Harry Bicket, Artistic Director of The English Concert, says the upcoming performance in Omaha is the orchestra’s first foray into the city. 

“It’s a one of Handel’s most famous and most beautiful pieces,” Bicket said. “It’s also funny because he was writing not so much about the historical facts, but really about the human condition and about how rulers make mistakes and how we’re all basically human.” 

Founded in 1972, The English Concert is a worldwide accredited baroque orchestra that performs each piece using the instruments and style that would have been used during the period it was composed. For the past 50 years, The English Concert has been reviving classical and baroque pieces through modern interpretations. While the orchestra performs pieces from many different composers, Bicket is devoted to providing the work of Handel to the public.  

The English Concert’s performance of Giulio Cesare is part of the orchestra’s Handel for All project. The goal of the project is to film and publish every work in Handel’s repertoire. Still in the early stages of this project, The English Concert prepares a new composition from Handel each year to tour and film. Once filmed, the performance is added to The English Concerts growing selection of professional interpretations of Handel’s works for anybody to view free of charge.  

The English Concert will be performing Giulio Cesare at the Orpheum Theater on May 1st. Harry Bicket will be conducting the English Concert on stage. The opera will begin at 7:30 and will run for about 4 hours with two 20-minute intermissions throughout.  

“It’s very colorful,” Bicket said. “It’s got a wonderful cast and a fantastic orchestra so it’s really exciting to actually do it in Omaha.” 

The English Concert will film and publish the opera to their website after the tour is completed. To learn more about The English Concert and their Handel for All project, you can visit their website at www.englishconcert.co.uk/.