Theatre icon Christoph Marthaler presents one of the world’s earliest operas as a ruthless, strikingly relevant tale of power and intrigue.
L’incoronazione di Poppea recounts a bloody chapter of Roman history, teeming with corruption and immorality.
There are no virtuous figures in L’incoronazione di Poppea—everyone is willing to commit terrible acts for their own gain. Leading the charge is Poppea herself, whose ambition to become empress drives her to remove Emperor Nerone’s wife by any means necessary.
Despite being one of the earliest operas, L’incoronazione di Poppea feels remarkably modern, with vividly drawn characters and deeply human emotions at its core. Monteverdi witnessed the birth of opera as a genre, as it moved from the exclusive circles of the court to public theatres, and he played a pivotal role in shaping opera as an art form. L’incoronazione di Poppea, his final opera, represents the culmination of a long and distinguished composing career—a true gem among early operas.
One of Europe’s most renowned theatre directors Christoph Marthaler stages this production in collaboration with his longtime set designer, Anna Viebrock. Together, they reimagine the story in a contemporary setting, crafting a design that exudes power and chilling detachment.
Lars Ulrik Mortensen and Concerto Copenhagen bring Monteverdi’s score to life from the orchestra pit, while the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter stars as Ottavia.
L’incoronazione di Poppea is performed in Italian with Danish and English surtitles.
In collaboration with Theater Basel.
Recommended from 15 years old
From this production at Theater Basel
Creative team
Komponist
- Claudio Monteverdi
Dirigent
- Lars Ulrik Mortensen
Iscenesættelse
- Christoph Marthaler
Co-instruktør
- Joachim Rathke
Librettist
- Giovanni Francesco Busenello
Scenografi og kostumedesign
- Anna Viebrock
Lysdesign
- Cornelius Hunziker
Dramaturgi
- Malte Ubenauf
- Roman Reeger
Cast
Dirigent
Lars Ulrik Mortensenparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Nero
Kangmin Justin Kimparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Poppea
Kerstin Avemoparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Ottavia
Anne Sofie von Otterparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Ottone
Morten Grove Frandsenparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Seneca
Kyungil Koparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Drusilla
Annika Beinnesparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Arnalta
Stuart Jacksonparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Lucano
Fredrik Bjellsäterparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Liberto
Ian Marcus Bjørsvikparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Littore
Antti Mähönenparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Valletto
Mathilda Sidén Silfverparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Edda
Liliana Beniniparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5
Nutrice
Graham Valentineparticipating
- 26/4
- 28/4
- 30/4
- 2/5
- 4/5