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Binding: DVD EAN: 0809478009245 Format: NTSC Languages: Number Of Discs: 2 Region Code: 2 Theatrical Release Date: 1994 Average Rating:
![]() Rating: - a voice teacher and early music fanMESMORIZING MONTEVERDI MARVELOUSLY PERFORMED This opera has nine main characters and a few more less important and although there is a main story there are many other stories going on at the same time. Essentially the Emperor Nero (Brigitte Balleys) is having an affair with Poppea (Cynthia Hayman) and wants to make her Empress in place of his present wife Ottavia(Ling Liang). Meanwhile Ottone (Michael Chance) returns from the Wars and finds out that he has been rejected by POPPEA. ... Read More Rating: - Best Poppea I've seen on DVD or VHS videoThis production is superior to that of Harnoncourt. The cast is first rate - every member is superb. The small orchestra - simpler than Harnoncourt's - is much more "authentic" (strings, 2 cornetti [beautifully played, BTW!] and basso continuo) and gives the work just enough colour. I love the dark and moody lighting. The whole production has a very dream-like quality to it, yet the raw emotions of the protagonists are brought out very strongly. Michael Chance, in particular, is very good. ... Read More Rating: - Not Up to the Harnoncourt Production, but Good.Claudio Monteverdi wrote the L'incoronazione di Poppea near the end of his life and managed to incorporate all that he had learned from many years of composing and teaching. It premiered in 1642 and includes all that makes a great opera in today's world. Nerone lusts for Poppea; Poppea lusts for power; Ottone aches for Poppea; Octavia and Nerone both use their power ruthlessly; Seneca pays with his life for telling Nerone what he doesn't wish to hear; and through all of this the ending is happy for everyone ... Read More |