Veni, vidi …

JULIUS Caesar is centre stage at Grange Opera Festival, where Sarah Brady (pictured) captures the magnetic power of Cleopatra. Christian Curnyn, well-known to local opera lovers from the former Iford Opera Festival (near Bath), conducts his Early Opera Company to accompany the singers, led by countertenor Tim Mead, as Caesar. One of Handel’s most popular operas, Giulio Cesare continues at Grange Opera Festival on 13th, 19th and 25th June. The director is David Alden.

Another Iford favourite, counter tenor Owen Willets, is singing the role of Nireno.

Meanwhile, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is accompanying two operas this year, La Boheme and Eugene Onegin. thegrangefestival.co.uk

Photograph by Richard Hubert Smith