Though sung in the original Italian, Giulio Cesare is relocated in the unspecified future in the Middle East. Cesare is the unquestioned leader of a major world power who visits the Empire's number one global trouble spot. Ptolemy is a 14-year-old "self styled local potentate" and Cleopatra his beautiful and spoiled elder sister.

A studio performance of one of Handel's best known operas by the English National Opera. The Opera, a tale of love and power based on Shakespeare's play, was first performed in 1724 at the Haymarket Theatre in London using castrati singers in the heroes roles. This production follows modern practice in using women in these parts, and in particular, Dame Janet Baker creates the virtuoso role of Julius Caesar.