Monteverdi’s opera, heard here in Elena Kats-Chernin’s jazz-influenced orchestral rearrangement, is one of the masterpieces of the early Baroque. Set in Nero’s Rome, it’s an amoral feast of treachery, sexual shenanigans and unbounded ambition in which Poppea sets out to win a place on the Imperial throne. Sam Strong directs a new production with baritone Samuel Dundas as the headstrong Nero (a role Monteverdi assigned to a castrato) and rising star soprano Meechot Marrero as the scheming Poppea. A strong supporting cast includes Jeremy Kleeman as the lovelorn Ottone, Margaret Trubiano as Ottavia and David Greco as Seneca. Chad Kelly conducts the Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Enter ancient Rome as the ruler Emperor Nero and his obsession Poppea ruthlessly pursue their love. Power, politics and passion paint the backdrop of Monteverdi’s masterpiece. Desire and betrayal claim centre-stage.

Victorian Opera presents celebrated Composer Elena Kats-Chernin’s re-orchestration of this early opera with a subtle infusion of jazz, tango and ragtime.

Director Sam Strong (Echo and Narcissus/Cassandra) and Conductor Chad Kelly (Abduction) lean into the sensuality at the core of this coronation. Baritone Samuel Dundas and rising star soprano Meechot Marrero star as Nero and Poppea.