English Touring Opera is to present a new production of Handel’s masterpiece, Giulio Cesare(Julius Caesar) at Theatre by the Lake, uniquely divided in two parts.

This is the very first time that Giulio Cesare has been presented complete in Keswick, with over 4 hours of music split into two performances, each telling a distinct story over two consecutive nights, on 14 and 15 November.

The period dress production features baroque orchestra The Old Street Band alongside a first-rate cast including Christopher Ainslie in the title role. The two parts are sung in Italian with English surtitles.

The Olivier award winning company are among the leading producers of Handel operas in the UK, having produced fifteen Handel operas in the past fifteen years of James Conway’s leadership as ETO General Director.

Giulio Cesare follows the story of Roman general Julius Caesar and his uneasy romance with Cleopatra. In Part One: The Death of Pompey, we see the aftermath of the execution of Caesar’s rival, Pompey, as Caesar, Cleopatra and her brother, Tolomeo, all fight to the death for the throne. Part Two: Cleopatra’s Needle, shows Caesar and Cleopatra at their lowest ebb: will they regain the upper hand over Tolomeo? Can their relationship survive the incoming war?

Tess Ellison, Assistant Producer at the Theatre said: ‘We’re delighted that English Touring Opera are making their first trip to Keswick, and look forward to welcoming audiences to two wonderful nights of music. ETO have been described as ‘a jewel in the country’s operatic crown’ and the fantastic reviews Giulio Cesare has been receiving suggest we’re in for a real treat’.

Each night can be enjoyed singularly, with tickets priced between £35 and £15 (£10 for students and U26s) or Handel’s masterpiece can be enjoyed in full with a special offer available across the two nights, where the two parts can be seen for £52 to £22 (with £18 tickets for students and U26s). |To find out more visit www.theatrebythelake.com or call the box office on 017687 74411