THE CORONATION OF POPPEA
Claudio Monteverdi
The might of Rome is no match for the dangerous power of passion.
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This July, be transported by Lyric’s bold re-imagining of Monteverdi’s Coronation of Poppea - a bloodthirsty baroque drama in which love triumphs, but at what cost?
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This dangerous and sexy production tells the tale of the beautiful Poppea as she convinces Emperor Nero to abandon his wife, destroy his friends and crown her Empress. This is opera up close and personal. Think House of Cards meets Game of Thrones in a hipster pop up bar with a seriously old school soundtrack, this opera will get under your skin.
Poppea will be performed by an exceptional cast of singing actors led by Rebecca Rashleigh in the title role, making a welcome return following her success in Il Signor Bruschino. Direct from Opera Australia, Nick Jones makes his Lyric debut as Emperor Nero with Lyric favourite Caroline Vercoe as his scorned Empress Ottavia. The cast also includes Countertenor rising star Nicholas Tolputt, Elizabeth Stannard-Cohen and Alison Lemoh direct from their roles in Our Man in Havana, Robert Macfarlane and Hew Wagner direct from their starting roles in The Japanese Princess, With Lyric stalwart Bernard Leon and international guest star Damian Whiteley as Seneca this is simply the best ensemble cast you will see and hear in Melbourne this year.
This full-length bloodthirsty drama will be directed by Tyran Parke, leading an exceptional Melbourne creative team including Rob Sowinski, Bryn Cullen and Dann Barber. Music Direction is by Lyric's Artistic Director Pat Miller, leading an eclectic ensemble fused of period and modern instruments.
Claudio Monteverdi – The Coronation of Poppea
(Il Coronatione di Poppea, Venice version of 1648)
Drama with Music in three acts
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Sung in Italian with surtitles in English
Three hours, including one interval
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7:30pm July 15, 17, 19, 21 & 22
Chapel off Chapel, Prahran
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Tickets:
$70 Full, $55 Concession, $25 Child
Tickets can be purchased here or in person
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CAST
Poppea: Rebecca Rashleigh
Drusilla: Elizabeth Stannard-Cohen
Ottavia: Caroline Vercoe
Amor: Alison Lemoh
Ottone: Nicholas Tolputt
Nero: Nicholas Jones
Fortune: Robert Macfarlane
Virtue: Hew Wagner
Mercury: Bernard Leon
Seneca: Damian Whiteley
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CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Tyran Parke
Design: Dann Barber, Rob Sowinski & Bryn Cullen
Musical Direction: Pat Miller
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Poster and Media Design: CAST
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PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager: Tanje Ruddick
Stage Manager: Daniel Sinfield
Assistant Director: Robert Johnson
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MUSICIANS
Keyboard / Repetiteur: Jane Matheson, Head of Music Staff
Keyboard / Repetiteur: Michelle Nguyen
Continuo Cello: Dan Smith
Theorbo / Guitar: Rosemary Hodgeson
Flute: Kim Tan
Violin: Felicite Heine
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