After 2024’s landmark (Opera Now) production of Dido & Aeneas at the Museum of Somerset, Pleasure Dome and Somerset Opera are ready to create history again with Handel’s CESARE!

Pleasure Dome Theatre in partnership with Somerset Opera, the Taunton Sinfonietta, and the Women’s Institute, South West present CESARE after Handel’s masterpiece, Guilio Cesare.

Directed by Edwina Strobl (Royal Opera House, Opera Holland Park) and with musical direction and conducted by Noah Mosely (English Touring Opera, English National Opera) 

Cesare, head of the Parish Council of Romebury is visiting a neighbouring village for a game of cricket. Romebury are triumphant and Cesare congratulates the opposition on a well-played match and superlative spread but upstart Tolomeo is indignant in defeat. Who will win the bake off? Whose vegetables deserve a rosette and will Cesare be able to navigate village politics and bring peace, prosperity, and pleasure to warring factions? Or will there be blood among the bunting…

Sung in English with a fresh libretto this outrageous production will delight avid opera lovers and those new to the genre. Running at 2 hours including interval, and accompanied by the Taunton Sinfonietta, come experience world-class music with a distinctly South West twist!

“genuinely joyous and impressive…  unafraid to look for humour and humanity in a piece of the most concentrated genius… Watch out for her and this company: ambitions are high, this is a great new start… Opera Now on Dido and Aeneas

“Pleasure Dome have worked out how to make a performance fly,” Britishtheatre.com on LEAR

“Extraordinary” WhatsonTaunton on LOUISA

“…deserves a packed audience” West Somerset Free Press on ROSALIE

“stunning natural scenery, beautiful costumes, atmospheric music, and pure drama.” Britishtheatre.com on LORNA DOONE

“…fabulous principal voices and the chorus sounded great…”

Amahl and the Night Visitors 2022

“…your performance was one of the best I’ve seen…the

ladies’ chorus were a delight…” Iolanthe 2022

“…What a morale booster. Your sense of fun, the full

commitment from the cast…” Gondoliers 2023

“…a clever, well-written piece, performed with love by a

talented group…” W.S.G 2024

About Pleasure Dome

The company was founded by Helena Payne in 2015. Well known for their breath-taking performances at the Valley of Rocks, more recently Pleasure Dome Theatre have been traversing the broader South West with shows such as  ROSALIE inspired by the incredible Rosalie Chichester of Arlington Court described by the West Somerset Free Press as “a virtuoso reimagining of a truly remarkable woman.” Then supported by Arts Council England and in partnership with the South West Heritage Trust and Somerset Opera they presented Dido and Aeneas at the Museum of Somerset awarded  by international publication Opera Now and decsribed as “genuinely joyous and impressive.” Now they are turning their attention to another baroque masterpiece,CESARE, after Handel’s Giulio Cesare will be playing to audiences in Exmoor and beyond this Autumn. This version transports the world of Roman intrigue to a local village somehwere in the west country and explores the passion and intensity of Parish politics with humour and warmth. Will Cesare be able to bring peace and prosperity to warring factions? Or will there be blood among the buntinng? For performance venues and tickets see www.pleasuredometheatrecompany.com

About Somerset Opera

We are a dynamic group of musicians with a passion for sharing opera of all varieties with audiences across Somerset. In 1974 our founder, Brian Cresswell recognised Somerset deserved it’s own opera company and we have been singing together since. Now led by an energetic committee, we aim to serve, engage and entertain communities in the South West by sharing quality performances driven by who we are as an organisation in response to the current cultural landscape.

Founded by Brian Cresswell in 1974, Somerset Opera is a registered charity based in Taunton.

We aim to be a cohesive, dynamic and inspiring force for good within the artistic landscape of the South West.  We believe in the power of music to bring people together and recognise the value of what opera can do for communities as well as individuals. 

We embrace a combined professional and community model. We mount in house productions performed and toured locally by our members and major productions which are larger in scale and often welcome guest soloists.

We acknowledge that everyone has something to contribute and do not discriminate based on level of experience, training, or background. We recognise that diversity is a strength and believe that the right people for the project are the ones that want to be there.

OUR MISSION

To create exceptional operatic entertainment and artistic experiences that serve, engage, and entertain.
To create professional work for a diverse range of artists living in and from the South West.
To offer career pathways and mentorship to those who aspire to work professionally but have limited opportunities because of rural isolation or socio-economic disadvantage.
To create performance opportunities for our members who may enjoy all the benefits of such an experience.
To be an opera company Somerset can be proud of.