![]() ![]() Sesto feels devastated and attempts to kill himself but is prevented from doing so by his mother he repeats his vow to kill Tolomeo. Achilla asks again for Cornelia’s hand in marriage but is turned down by Tolomeo. Achilla announces that Cesare (in the attempt to run from soldiers) has jumped from the palace window and died. ![]() As Tolomeo tries to seduce Cornelia, Sesto rushes in to kill Tolomeo, but is stopped by Achilla. In Tolomeo’s palace, Tolomeo prepares to enter his harem. Cleopatra, having fallen in love with Cesare, begs the gods to bless him. Cleopatra reveals her identity and after hearing the enemies heading for them, asks Cesare to flee, but he decides to fight. However, Curio suddenly bursts in and warns Cesare that he has been betrayed, and enemies are approaching Cesare’s chambers and chanting “Death to Cesare”. Still smitten with her, Cesare arrives in Cleopatra’s palace. Meanwhile, Cleopatra waits for Cesare to arrive in her palace. Sesto enters the garden of the palace, wishing to fight Tolomeo for killing his father. However, Nireno also comes up with a plan to sneak Sesto into the harem together with Cornelia, so Sesto can kill Tolomeo when he is alone and unarmed. Nireno reveals the bad news that Tolomeo has given orders for Cornelia to be sent to his harem. Thinking that there is no hope, Cornelia tries to take her own life, but is stopped by Sesto, who is escorted by Nireno. (Aria: Se a me non sei crudele) When he leaves, Tolomeo also tries to win her, but is also rejected. Achilla pleads with Cornelia to accept him, but she rejects him. In Tolomeo’s palace, Cornelia laments her fate. Cesare is smitten with Cleopatra, and Nireno tells Cesare that “Lidia” is waiting for him. She sings praises of Cupid’s darts and Cesare is delighted. In Cleopatra’s palace, while in disguise as “Lidia”, she uses her charms to seduce Cesare. ![]() When Cornelia rejects Achilla, he orders the soldiers to arrest Sesto. Sesto attempts to challenge Tolomeo, but is unsuccessful. Tolomeo is fascinated by Cornelia’s beauty but has promised Achilla that he could have her. Cesare meets Tolomeo, who offers him a room in the royal apartments, though Cesare tells Curio that he expects Tolomeo to betray him. Cleopatra now believes that as she has turned Cesare, Cornelia and Sesto against Tolomeo successfully, the scales are tipped in her favour. Cesare, Cornelia and Sesto go to the Egyptian palace to meet Tolomeo. Cornelia prepares to kill Tolomeo to avenge Pompeo’s death, but is stopped by Sesto, who promises to do it instead. Meanwhile, Cornelia continues to mourn the loss of her husband. Nireno notes that the seduction was successful. ![]() Cleopatra (in disguise) goes to meet Cesare in his camp hoping that he will support her as the queen of Egypt. Tolomeo swears to kill Cesare to protect his rule of the kingdom. (Aria: Non disperar, chi sà?) Achilla brings the news to Tolomeo that Cesare was furious over the murder of Pompeo. Cleopatra decides to use her charm to seduce Cesare. Sesto, son of Cornelia and Pompeo, swears to take revenge for his father’s death. Cornelia rejects the offer in grief, saying that another death would not relieve her pain. Cesare’s assistant, Curio, offers to avenge Cornelia, hoping that she will fall for him and marry him. Cornelia faints, and Cesare is furious about Tolomeo’s cruelty. It is a token of support from Tolomeo, the co-ruler of Egypt (together with Cleopatra, his sister). Achilla, the leader of the Egyptian army, presents Cesare with a casket containing Pompeo’s head. Cesare agrees, but on the condition that Pompeo must see him in person. Pompeo’s second wife, Cornelia, begs for mercy for her husband’s life. Giulio Cesare and his victorious troops arrive on the banks of the River Nile after defeating Pompeo’s forces. After the overture, the entire cast, except Giulio Cesare, gathers on stage for the opening chorus. ![]()
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