Opera and Roman History Vocabulary

Flashcards defining key terms, historical figures, and operatic concepts from the lecture on Handel's opera and Roman history.

First Triumvirate

A loose political conglomerate in 49 BC that ran the Roman Republic, consisting of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.

Crassus

A member of the First Triumvirate who was the richest person in Rome at the time and provided financial backing.

Pompey

A Roman leader in the First Triumvirate, former son-in-law of Julius Caesar, husband of Cornelia, and Caesar's opponent in the Roman Civil War.

Julius Caesar

A Roman leader who crossed the Rubicon, fought Pompey in the Roman Civil War, and was killed on the Ides of March in 44 BC.

Civil War

Fighting within one country.

Rubicon

A tiny river in northern Italy south of Venice that marked the boundary of the Roman Republic; crossing it with an army was forbidden and precipitated the Roman Civil War.

Baroque Opera

A genre of opera whose stories were focused strictly on ancient history or Greek and Roman mythology.

Cleopatra

A ambitious Macedonian ruler of Egypt who learned Egyptian, disguised herself as the maid Lydia to seduce Julius Caesar, and later partnered with Mark Antony.

Ptolemy

The ruler of Egypt and brother of Cleopatra who attempted to impress Julius Caesar by presenting him with Pompey's severed head on a platter.

Cornelia

The fifth wife of Pompey who accompanied him to Egypt and mourned his death.

Sesto

The son of Pompey and Cornelia whose main storyline in the opera involves seeking revenge for his father's murder.

Ides of March

March 15, 44 BC, the date on which Julius Caesar was killed while going to the senate.

Octavian (Caesar Augustus)

The adopted nephew of Julius Caesar who formed the Second Triumvirate and became emperor when the Roman Empire began.

Castrato

A male vocal type created through castration, widely used in early and Baroque opera for hero roles due to its powerful sound.

Overture

An instrumental piece played by the orchestra before a dramatic work or opera begins.

V'adoro, pupille

A seductive aria sung by Cleopatra while disguised as Lydia in Act Two of Handel's opera, meaning 'I adore your pupils' (eyes).

Se pietà

An aria sung by Cleopatra praying to the gods for Julius Caesar's return after he is called away to war.

Da tempeste

An aria meaning 'from the storm,' sung by Cleopatra to express great happiness after Julius Caesar returns.

Veni, vidi, vici

Julius Caesar's famous statement upon arrival, meaning 'I came, I saw, I conquered.'

Glyndebourne Festival

An opera festival held in England on the grounds of a wealthy family's estate, featured in the lecture for a 2005 production of Handel's opera.