Performing: C. Vistoli, N. Skrycka, S. Zámečníková, B. Mehta, G. Shkarupa, E. Novak, A. Kutny, J. Krogius, F. Hoffmann, B. Chamandy, L. Medvedeva, V. Randem, J. Kowalski, T. Walker, Solist des Kinderchors
In his last opera, Claudio Monteverdi used real historical figures for the first time, creating the first sex-and-crime story in opera history. This early Baroque masterpiece tells a story of power and passion and the occasions when it is abused, much like a political thriller.
Poppea Sabina, the most beautiful woman in Rome, wants to become empress alongside the emperor Nerone. To achieve this, she uses all her powers of seduction to persuade Nerone to murder his wife Ottavia. When the imperial philosopher Seneca opposes this plan, he must pay for it with his life. Meanwhile, Ottavia incites the outcast and deceived Ottone to murder her power-hungry rival Poppea. However, the murder is averted in time: Ottavia is shunned, and Poppea realises her plans, wishes and dreams.
Monteverdi and his librettist Busenello demonstrate their bitter world view at the end of their opera: all their characters have faults, and those who act most unscrupulously are allowed to triumph. Monteverdi succeeds in the feat of exposing his partly caricatured characters, whose melodies are variously characterised, in a partly humorous way and at the same time generating empathy for them. Despite their scandalous behaviour, his extremely expressive music with sensual melodies, bold harmonies and a startlingly avant-garde style tempts us to cheer on the adulterers.
In Italian language with German and English surtitles.