In the Autumn of 2025 Pleasure Dome partnered with Somerset Opera again to tour CESARE, a new adaptation of Handel's Guilio Cesare set in a west country village to venues across Somerset and Devon supported by the Taunton Sinfonietta. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Cesare, head of the Parish Council of Romebury is visiting a neighbouring village for a game of cricket. Romebury are triumphant and Cesare congratulates the opposition on a well-played match and superlative spread, but upstart Tolomeo is indignant in defeat. Who will win the bake off? Whose vegetables deserve a rosette, and will Cesare be able to navigate village politics and bring peace, prosperity, and pleasure to warring factions? Or will there be blood among the bunting...
 
Sung in English with a fresh libretto this outrageous production will delight avid opera lovers and those new to the genre. Running at 2 hours including interval, and accompanied by the Taunton Sinfonietta, come experience world-class music with a distinctly South West twist!

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Reviews on CESARE

"...right up there with the most adorable things I’ve seen at the opera — funny, sweet, touching and altogether a tonic for the jaded soul." Robert Thicknesse - The Critic
https://thecritic.co.uk/love-among-the-sandwiches/

..."it’s a bit bonkers but, at the same time, full of intelligence and heart. If you have never seen opera before, then this is about as accessible as it gets – it is neither grand nor pretentious, it is the funniest opera I can remember seeing and the music is glorious – what’s not to like?" 
https://www.theatreplays.uk/cesare-strode-theatre-street/

"This delightful version takes its inspiration from Jackie Weaver and her authority, and from every village fete we’ve ever attended. Somerset Opera has engaged some excellent soloists, all of them throwing themselves both vocally and physically into the barmy concept." GP - W - Fine Times Recorder
https://www.theftr.co.uk/cesare-pleasure-dome-and-somerset-opera-strode-theatre-street-and-touring/

 

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