L’incoronazione di Poppea

The soldier Ottone returns from the war and learns that his lover Poppea is having an affair with the commander-in-chief, Nero. While Ottone withdraws in disappointment, Poppea receives a promise from Nero that he will divorce his wife Ottavia for her sake.

Shortly afterward, Poppea is warned by her assistant Arnalta against a romantic relationship with the powerful Nero. Poppea, however, remains undeterred.

Nero’s wife, Ottavia, appears. Furious, she laments her fate. Neither Nutrice, her companion, nor the strategist Seneca can comfort her. After Seneca learns that there is a plan to assassinate him, Nero arrives and argues with him about the potential consequences of his relationship with Poppea.

During a chance encounter with Nero, Poppea almost casually mentions that Seneca is planning a coup against him. Enraged, Nero orders his soldiers to kill Seneca.

Ottone levels serious accusations against Poppea, but she rejects all charges and declares her allegiance to Nero. Ottone then encounters his former lover, Drusilla. Begging her forgiveness, he claims that his love for Poppea has grown cold; now he loves only Drusilla.

Anticipating his assassination, Seneca calmly ponders the advantages of death.

Interval

Seneca dies. Nero and his associate Lucano mock the deceased and celebrate the joys of love. Nero and his troops depart. Ottavia orders her subordinate, Ottone, to murder Poppea. She suggests that, to remain undetected, he disguise himself as a woman.

Ottone arranges a meeting with Drusilla, who expresses her joy at their renewed love. The military strategist Valletto and Ottavia’s companion Nutrice discuss whether it would be desirable to be young again.

Having told Drusilla about his assassination plan, Ottone asks if he can disguise himself in her clothes. Drusilla agrees, hoping that following Poppea’s death Ottone will finally devote himself entirely to her.

Poppea boasts that after Seneca’s death she will soon rise to the position of commander-in-chief at Nero’s side. Her assistant Arnalta criticises her ambition. Soon afterwards, Poppea falls into a deep sleep. Arnalta watches over her and sings a lullaby.

Valletto is worried about Poppea, suspecting an imminent attempt on her life. His suspicion turns out to be true. Disguised as Drusilla, Ottone appears and tries to kill Poppea. Just in time, Valletto warns the sleeping Poppea. The assassin escapes, but Poppea and Arnalta have seen that it was Drusilla.

Drusilla appears, looking forward to seeing Ottone again. Instead, Arnalta exposes her as the potential assassin. It gradually dawns on Drusilla why Arnalta has pointed the finger at her.

Nero convenes a military court, accusing Drusilla of attempted murder. Suddenly, Ottone appears and begs Nero to arrest him as the true assassin. Nero is taken aback, but ultimately decides to exile both Ottone and Drusilla and banish Ottavia, the instigator, from Rome. Nero then promises Poppea that he will marry her that very day and promote her to the highest military rank.

Arnalta sings of his dream of social advancement as an assistant to the future commander-in-chief, Poppea. Ottavia, in turn, bids farewell to her loyal followers and mourns having to leave Rome forever.

Poppea and Nero sing of their enduring love.