Steamy passions, ruthless politics, vocal pyrotechnics.
Think ‘House of Cards’ in Ancient Egypt
The Story
Julius Caesar arrives in Egypt to find himself entangled in a battle for the throne between the irresistible queen Cleopatra and her ruthless brother Ptolemy. What unfolds is a rollercoaster of passion, betrayal, and vengeance, set to show-stopping vocals by the composer of ‘The Messiah.’
Our production condenses the opera’s best tunes into an action-packed two hours. Whether you’re an opera aficionado or new to Opera Santa Barbara, fasten your seatbelts. Colin Ramsey and Anastasia Malliaras will take you on one of ancient history’s bumpiest rides.
Performance Details
Caesar and Cleopatra
(Giulio Cesare in Egitto)
by Georg Frederick Handel
Performances:
Friday, February 27, 2026, 7:30PM
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:30 PM
Venue
Lobero Theatre
33 E Canon Perdido St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Genre
Historical drama
Language
Sung in Italian English translation projected in LED
Running time
2 hours including intermission.
DIRECTION
EMILY SENTURIA, Conductor
JOSHUA SHAW, Stage Director and Set Designer
HELENA KUUKKA, Lighting Designer
CAST
COLIN RAMSEY, Julius Caesar
ANASTASIA MALLIARAS*, Cleopatra
KELLY GUERRA, Sesto
CHRISTINA PEZZAROSSI, Cornelia
LOGAN TANNER, Tolomeo
MATTHEW PETERSON, Achilla
ALEXANDRA BASS*, Nireno
*denotes OSB Mainstage Debut
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
STAGE DIRECTOR SPONSOR
Fred and Nancy Golden
ARTIST SPONSORS
Colin Ramsey, Julius Caesar
Chrisman Emerging Artist Fund
Anastasia Malliaras, Cleopatra
Bella Domani
Kelly Guerra, Sesto
Chrisman Emerging Artist Fund
Christina Pezzarossi, Cornelia
Chrisman Emerging Artist Fund
Lighting Design by Helena Kuukka
Nick Burlett & Jessie Dove