The action is based on the historical events of the Roman civil war of 48-47 bc. Caesar has defeated his rival
Pompey and pursued him to Alexandria, capital of Egypt. The kingdom is ruled jointly by Cleopatra and her
younger brother Ptolemy (Tolomeo), the last of the dynasty established in Egypt, after its conquest by Alexander the
Great. Pompey has appealed to Tolomeo for arms and refuge.
PART I
Cesare enters Alexandria with his general Curio and his army to
be met by Cornelia and Sesto, the wife and son of Pompey,
who have come to sue for peace. Cesare agrees to embrace his
enemy, but at that moment Tolomeo’s general Achilla arrives
with a greeting and gift from his king: Pompey’s severed head.
Disgusted, Cesare sends Achilla back with an angry message
for Tolomeo and a threatening promise that he will meet with
the king at his palace before nightfall. Cornelia laments her loss
and Sesto swears to avenge his dead father.
In the palace at Alexandria, Cleopatra plots to take sole
possession of the throne. When she learns of Tolomeo’s
betrayal of Pompey from her servant Nireno, she resolves to
visit Cesare’s camp and win his favour and aid. She and
Tolomeo bicker before she steals away. Achilla tells Tolomeo
of Cesare’s angry reception of his gift and offers to accomplish
his murder if Tolomeo grants him Cornelia as a reward.
Tolomeo fears the growing strength of Rome under the
leadership of Caesar and agrees.
At the camp, Caesar presides over Pompey’s funeral rites. In
disguise, Cleopatra presents herself to Cesare as Lidia, a
handmaiden in the palace, but one of noble birth, robbed of
her birthright by Tolomeo. Captivated, Cesare promises to help
her. Cleopatra and Nireno watch as Cornelia pays her last
respects to her dead husband. Cornelia and Sesto plan together
to kill Tolomeo. Cleopatra comes forward and, though still
disguised as Lidia, pledges the support of the Queen of Egypt,
offering them the services of Nireno as a guide into the palace.
Cesare meets with Tolomeo in an interview of frosty
diplomacy. Nevertheless, he cautiously accepts the king’s
invitation of hospitality. Cornelia and Sesto confront Tolomeo.
He is struck by Cornelia’s beauty, but when Sesto challenges
him to combat, he orders their imprisonment. Achilla offers
Cornelia her freedom in return for her favours, but she angrily
refuses. She and Sesto bid each other a sad farewell before the
guards separate them.
PART II
In the palace, with Nireno’s help Cleopatra has arranged an
entertainment calculated to ensnare further the interest of
Cesare. Lured by Nireno, he duly arrives and is enchanted by
her song. Nireno assures him that the supposed Lidia is deeply
attracted and will wait for him later that night in her apartment.
Cornelia, now a prisoner of Tolomeo, laments her fate. She
repulses Achilla once more, only to be met by the advances of
Tolomeo himself. She resolves to take her own life, but is saved
by Sesto who has escaped from his prison with the aid of
Nireno, who also brings the news that Tolomeo has
commanded she become one of his concubines. He will help to
smuggle Sesto into the harem as well, where, unguarded, the
king will be at his most vulnerable.
In her apartment, Cleopatra waits for Cesare, pretending to
be asleep when he enters. The lovers’ tryst is interrupted by
Curio, who has overheard Achilla’s assassins searching the
palace for Cesare. Cleopatra reveals her true identity to Cesare
and begs him to fly to safety. Cesare refuses and goes to face
his enemy. Cleopatra prays to the gods to preserve him and the
love she now truly feels for him.
PART III
Tolomeo, secure in his harem, lays aside his arms. He throws a
white veil to Cornelia in token that she is to be his that night.
Sesto steals in and tries to use Tolomeo’s sword to kill him but
is disarmed by Achilla. He summons the king to war; Cesare is
believed to have plunged to his death in the harbour during the
previous night’s assault, but Cleopatra has fled to the Roman
camp and has there mustered an army to march on the palace.
Tolomeo prepares to lead his troops, but refuses Achilla the
promised reward for Cesare’s death; Cornelia is to be his own
prize. A furious Achilla decides to switch his allegiance to
Cleopatra.
In the ensuing battle, Tolomeo’s troops are victorious and
Cleopatra is taken prisoner. Her brother promises to take a
terrible revenge but she faces death with courage.
Cesare, though, is not dead; the sea has cast him up onto the
shore. Far from his armies, he prays to the breezes for help.
Sesto and Nireno stumble across the wounded Achilla dying on
the beach. Overheard by Cesare, he gives Sesto a seal, the sight
of which will give the bearer authority to command his troops.
As Achilla dies, Cesare takes the seal from Sesto and goes to
assemble a force to storm the palace. Sesto finds new hope.
Revenge will soon be his.
In prison, Cleopatra has prepared to take her own life.
Cesare breaks in with his troops and rescues her. He sends her
to the port to rally her armies and leaves to wage war on
Tolomeo. Cleopatra rejoices.
Believing himself to be victorious, Tolomeo sees no obstacle
to his pursuit of Cornelia, but Sesto at last seizes his chance and
kills him.
The battle has been won and Cesare crowns Cleopatra as
sole Queen of Egypt. She declares her allegiance to the Roman
Empire. The lovers sing and all welcome the arrival of peace.
© David McVicar