Love, betrayal, family drama, and political intrigue—Handel’s blockbuster heroic opera recounts the historic meeting of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, through a series of unforgettable arias, vivid characterizations, and sumptuous orchestration. British soprano Louise Alder sings the seductive central role of Cleopatra, opposite French countertenor Christophe Dumaux as her Caesar. It is hard to overstate the sublime performances