''Kleopatra'' is a Danish-language opera by

August Enna August Enna (13 May 1859 – 3 August 1939) was a Danish composer, known mainly for his operas. Enna was born in Nakskov, Lolland, Denmark, but his ethnic origins lay in Sicily. His first major success as a composer was ''The Witch'' (1892), whi ...

to a libretto by

Einar Christiansen Arne Einar Christiansen (20 July 1861 – 25 September 1939) was a Danish journalist, critic and titular professor. He was best known as a writer and theatre director. He was born in Copenhagen, the son of Captain Eduard Christiansen and Karen Mar ...

based on the 1889 novel by

H. Rider Haggard Sir Henry Rider Haggard (; 22 June 1856 – 14 May 1925) was an English writer of adventure fiction romances set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and a pioneer of the lost world literary genre. He was also involved in land reform ...

. The opera premiered in the Royal Theatre in 1895 and was performed around 20 times. In German translation, the opera was performed in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Wroclaw, Riga, Zurich, Antwerp, Rotterdam and The Hague; In 1897, the opera ran for 50 performances in the opera house in Amsterdam.

Plot

The opera tells the story of Prince Harmaki, who enters Queen Cleopatra's palace in order to murder her. His objective is regain power from the Romans.

Recordings

* ''Kleopatra'' – Elsa Dreisig, Magnus Vigilius, Lars Möller, Kirsten Grönfeldt, Chorus of the Danish National Opera, Odense Symphony Orchestra, conducting, 2 CDs DaCapo, DDD, 2019 (original stage production by Den Jyske Opera with

Philipp Kochheim Philipp Kochheim (born 4 December 1970) is a German theatre director, author and scenic designer. He also wrote the libretto for the opera ''Kniefall von Warschau'' named after Willy Brandt's genuflexion in Warsaw on 7 December 1970, with music ...

conducting)"Review: Philipp Kochheim – Dänische Wiederentdeckung von europäischem Rang"
by Claus-Ulrich Heinke. '' Orpheus – Oper und mehr'' (in German)

References

{{reflist 1895 operas Danish-language operas H. Rider Haggard Operas based on novels Depictions of Cleopatra in opera Operas