Cast
Opera in one prologue and three acts to a libretto by Giovanni Francesco Busenello after The Annals by Tacitus, premiered in Venice in 1642-1643.
Francesca Aspromonte Poppaea
Nicolò Balducci Nero
Eva Zaïcik Octavia, a Cupid
Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian Otho, Friend 1, a Cupid
Camille Poul Drusilla, a Cupid
Alex Rosen Seneca, a Tribune
Mathias Vidal Arnalta, Soldier 1, a Consul
Juan Sancho Nurse, Lucano, a Consul
Claire Lefilliâtre Fortuna, Pallas, Venus, a Cupid
Jennifer Courcier Cupid, Lady-in-Waiting
Ana Escudero Virtue, the Valet, a Cupid
Marco Angioloni Libertus, Soldier 2, Friend 2, a Consul
Geoffroy Buffière Mercury, a Lictor, Friend 3, a Tribune
Les Épopées
Stéphane Fuget Conductor
Presentation
How to take the place of the Empress of Rome? The courtesan Poppaea will stop at nothing to succeed. This mistress of Emperor Nero removes every obstacle that stands between her and the throne. At the cost of leaving her lover, Otho, ordering the suicide of the philosopher Seneca and banishing Empress Octavia, she finally achieves her objective: Poppaea marries Nero. Through Monteverdi’s music, what could have been nothing more than a triumph of immorality is elevated into a hymn of all-powerful desire, an exaltation of humanity in all its intractable contradictions. Monteverdi's last opera is also the first masterpiece of the genre, still extraordinarily and enduringly modern after four centuries.
To end his trilogy on a high note, with Monteverdi performed and recorded at the Château de Versailles, Stéphane Fuget reunites his expressive, virtuosic soloists, bringing the drama of Poppaea and Nero to boiling point!
This programme is recorded on CD for the label Château de Versailles Spectacles.
Crusades Room
More info
Crusades Room - Access map
Prices
Catégorie 2
Catégorie 1
Prestige
Prestige VIP
PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY : Best seats in house with complimentary glass of champagne and programme.
PRESTIGE CATEGORY : Excellent seats with complimentary glass of champagne and programme.
REDUCED RATE applicable to under 26s,Chateau de Versailles Spectacles card holders and groups of more than 10 people (excluding special company offer).
To ensure the best welcome possible, people with limited mobility are advised to book their seats by telephone at +33 (0)1 30 83 78 89.
In case of any technical problem, the box office service remain available to complete your order by phone at +33 (0)1 30 83 78 89 (Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm) or in our box office-shop (3 bis rue des Réservoirs, 78000 Versailles ; Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm, and on Saturdays with concerts or shows except during the Musical Fountains Shows, from 2pm to 5pm).
