Hans-Hürgen Linke, Frankfurter Rundschau, ĭetlev Glanert’s opera is a tremendous achievement. One can clearly follow the delicate dramatic structure, while the music not only includes strong effects and extremes but also traces the verbal development of an absurd exertion of power to a degree that ideally matches the text. Perhaps the finest German opera of the 21st Century.īoth the music and the libretto have an outstanding clarity and density. > Watch Detlev Glanert introducing Caligula Alone, Caligula is overpowered and killed by the conspirators. Caesonia makes a last attempt to move him he, however, demands her death as the ultimate proof of her love. As they are expressing their relief, the Emperor appears – the message was a trick. The conspirators have just resolved to put an end to the tragedy that very night when suddenly Caligula’s death is announced. To provide some distraction, he sends for four poets and an audience but after briefly listening to their presentations, he sentences them all to death. He is desperate because Helicon is unable to bring him the moon to his relief. The Emperor, however, senses his impending death.
Impressed by the sheer scope of Caligula’s power, the avengers cannot help but join in the worship. Caligula destroys this evidence but lets Chaerea go. Helicon has got hold of a wax tablet which contains evidence of Chaerea’s conspiracy. The only one to defy Caligula is the poet, Scipio, who is not frightened by Caligula’s threats.ĭuring some festivities, Caligula appears as Venus – he has decided to marry the moon. In their presence, he rapes the wife of one of them, not giving them a chance to prevent it, and forces another one to drink poison.
Faced with Caligula’s ever more apparent madness, the senators are conspiring against him when the Emperor suddenly surprises them at their secret meeting. Appalled though she is, she confirms her love for him.
He reveals his plans to his wife, Caesonia: he wants to enforce the elimination of evil in the world and hold an excessive feast. Not only does he order his former slave, Helicon, to bring him the moon, but he also enacts absurd and brutal laws. Three days later he returns, dirty and completely changed. Following the death of his sister and lover, Drusilla, Emperor Caligula disappears.
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