From Ancient Rome to a 1980s nightclub frequented by the mafioso – it’s not that great a leap, says Sam Strong, who is directing a new production of Monteverdi’s opera The Coronation of Poppea for Victorian Opera.

Both worlds simmer with violence, burning lust, treachery and “a flagrant amorality”, as Strong puts it. Passions erupt and blood is quickly spilled.

Chad Kelly and Sam Strong at rehearsals for Victorian Opera’s new production of The Coronation of Poppea. Photo © Casey Horsfield

The contemporary spirit of the production will be further enhanced by the use of Elena Kats-Chernin’s jazz-influenced orchestral rearrangement, conducted by Chad Kelly.

L’incoronazione de Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea) was Monteverdi’s last opera, with a libretto by Giovanni Francesco Busenello. One of the masterpieces of the early Baroque, it was first performed in Venice in 1643. Set in Nero’s Rome, it follows the ruthless ascent of the ambitious, power-hungry Poppea (Nero’s lover) to the Imperial throne.

The original manuscript no longer exists and the two surviving copies from the 1650s have significant differences. Essentially, there is a singing line and a bass line.

Kats-Chernin’s reorchestration was instigated by Barrie Kosky. In his...