A seductive love story, political drama and a mix of historical figures will all come together 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1-2 and 8-9 in the Musical Arts Center’s first opera of the semester, “Giulio Cesare.” This Italian opera, set in 48 B.C. ancient Egypt, tells the story of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. 

Caesar is attempting to add Egypt to the Roman Empire. This becomes complicated because Ptolemy, Cleopatra’s dishonorable brother, has seized the throne. Caesar must side with either Ptolemy or the seductive Cleopatra, who easily entices Caesar into getting whatever she desires.