A major international production of Handel’s opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto brought music on an exceptional scale to Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton, where New Trinity Baroque performed on 6 September.
The performance left the audience “enchanted” by what reviewer Helen Lloyd-Terry described as a stunning production. Directed from the harpsichord by Predrag Gosta, the production featured an international cast and period-instrument ensemble, with local musicians Mark Wilson on bassoon and Kate Allsop on violin and recorder.
Cleopatra at the heart of the production
Soprano Radoslava Vorgic placed Cleopatra at the centre of the opera. Her coloratura singing was praised for capturing the character’s changing personality, moving from playful and flirtatious to determined in her fight for her kingdom and the man she loves.
Her performance of Se pieta di non senti, from Act 2, was described as memorable for its intensity and controlled delivery. The review said her singing combined “heart-stopping intensity” with stillness.
Counter-tenor Sandro Rossi played Giulio Cesare with authority and strength, while also bringing what the review called an appealing, boyish quality to the role. His performance of Va tacito e nascosto, from Act 1, was accompanied by Mark Wilson’s baroque bassoon, which mimicked the sound of a hunting horn.
Local musicians among the ensemble
Frederica Moi’s portrayal of Cornelia was also singled out. Her contralto was described as particularly rich, conveying the character’s grief and dignity in Priva son d’ogni conforto, another Act 1 aria.
Local musician and composer Gabriel Perry praised Moi’s tone and expressive singing, while also highlighting her duet with Silvija Radjen Kumar, who played Sesto. Their performance of Son nata a lagrimar was described as captivating, with the two voices blending in the church’s reverberant acoustic.
The review also praised New Trinity Baroque’s period-instrument ensemble. It said each instrument could be heard with clarity while combining into a unified sound, giving the performance both detail and cohesion.
An intimate setting for an international production
The concert was presented as a particularly distinctive occasion: a large-scale international opera production staged inside a local parish church. The setting was an important part of the experience, with the building’s intimacy and acoustic adding to the atmosphere.
Author and journalist Lance Cole described the event as “a unique performance” and said the intimacy of the sacred setting was deeply moving. New Trinity Baroque took a bow at the end of the performance.
The source article is dated September 20, 2026, and also carries an “Updated: September 15, 2026” label. The performance itself is stated to have taken place on 6 September.
