she (Janet Baker) is as subtle and stylish as she is eloquent. But Valerie Masterson ... is pretty well her equal. Caesar, whether angry, magnanimous or smitten by Cleopatra, is the noble-hearted ruler throughout, whereas Cleopatra is by turns kittenish, amorous, anguished at the prospect of Caesar's death, furious at the treachery of her brother Ptolemy, radiant in the concluding duet: Masterson builds her into a real and seductive character.'

 

 

Registered charity number: 258224

Gramophone


'As Caesar, she (Janet Baker) arms the voice with an impregnable firmness, outgoing and adventurous.' 

 

Classic CD

'...the sheer intensity of the central performance. ...aided by the extreme intimacy possible in a recording studio

CHAN 3072

3 December 2008

The Peter Moores Foundation supports projects which come to the attention of its Patron, or Trustees, through their interests and special knowledge. General applications for grants are not encouraged and are unlikely to succeed.

Libretto by Nicola Haym
English translation by Brian Trowell
Edition prepared by Noel Davies &
Sir Charles Mackerras

The Cast

Dame Janet Baker, mezzo-soprano - Julius Caesar Christopher Booth-Jones, baritone - Curio
Sarah Walker, mezzo-soprano - Cornelia
Della Jones, mezzo-soprano - Sextus
Valerie Masterson, soprano - Cleopatra
James Bowman, countertenor - Ptolemy
John Tomlinson, bass - Achillas
David James, countertenor - Nirenus
English National Opera Chorus
English National Opera Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras - conductor

Recorded in Abbey Road Studios, London
1-7 August 1984
Producer - John Fraser
Sound engineer - Mark Vigars

Janet Baker: scenes from Julius Caesar

© Peter Moores Foundation 2004