The intrigues of the Roman Emperor Nero and his mistress Poppea make the Trumps and the Clintons look tame; accounts by contemporary historians such as Tacitus are so sensational and well-written that the story eventually had to get on stage, particularly with Nero’s musical connection. But until Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) produced his mighty swansong, characters in opera had to be kept mythical and preferably noble. Poppea was a magnificent shocker based on a true story, with much exquisitely beautiful and highly original music.
Like Hamlet and many masterpieces of the pre-PDF 1600’s, multiple inconsistent and incomplete scores exist, but we’re in good hands with conductor Erin Helyard, who has a scholar’s eye and a deft hand for delivering authentic and engrossing performances. This is sure to be another triumph for Pinchgut Opera.
Helen Sherman will sing Poppea and Jake Arditti Nero, with a supporting cast of Natalie Christie Peluso, Roberta Diamond, Owen Willetts, Kanen Breen, Adam Player, Jacob Lawrence, David Greco and Jeremy Kleeman.