Rumblings about two imminent productions of Handel’s Serse aside, Melbourne is starved of Baroque opera. Its mannered, ornamental style has a devoted if small following, so Victorian Opera has given Claudio Monteverdi’s last opera a good shake to broaden the appeal.

Directed by Sam Strong, this new production of The Coronation of Poppea is a respectful yet very fresh take thanks to Elena Kats-Chernin’s bold orchestration and a setting inspired by 1983 film Scarface.

The first known opera with a factual historical subject premiered in Venice during 1643’s Carnival. It follows Poppea’s rise to become the second wife of Roman Emperor Nero after he divorces his first, Ottavia.

Giovanni Francesco Busenello’s libretto presents Poppea as a seductive schemer who spurns her betrothed, Ottone, and persuades Nero to order the death of his adviser, Seneca. From meddling gods to Ottone-in-drag’s attempted assassination of Poppea by order of Ottavia, there’s much more to the tale.

Samuel Dundas and Meechot Marrero in Victorian Opera’s The Coronation of Poppea. Photo © Jeff Busby

Judiciously trimmed, including of minor characters, it now unfolds across two hours (plus...