Handel's Giulio Cesare was staged at La Scala Milan in 1956. Virginia Zeani, with a voice large enough for Aida, sings with impeccable poise and grace.
Handel was unequalled in writing expressively for the voice and was accustomed to working with the greatest singers. His music is best served by full voiced singers provided they have the appropriate sense of style as demonstrated so beautifully here.
As was customary in the 1950s the male roles were sung by a bass, Nicola Rossi Lemeni and a tenor, Franco Corelli. The men were so handsome in their short Roman skirts that it was known as the contest of the beautiful legs. Rossi Lemeni won.
