Enter a dazzling new cast of Australian stars, including counter-tenor Tobias Cole as Caesar, Catherine Carby as Cornelia, and in the role of Cleopatra, the woman who seduced an empire, Emma Matthews. Richard Hickox conducts this tale of power and passion, revealing the fresh, seductive sounds of the baroque era and Handel's masterful use of light and shade.A world torn by greed and lust: in Rome Julius Caesar and Pompeo are fighting a civil war, while in Egypt, Tolomeo and his sister Cleopatra fight for the throne. Pompeo wants Tolomeo to be his ally against Caesar but when Caesar wins at Pharsalia Tolomeo has Pompeo killed, and his counsellor Achilla brings the severed head to Caesar, who is incensed at the needless murder. Pompeo's son Sesto vows vengeance. Cleopatra decides to use her beauty to win Caesar's favour and triumph over her brother.