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Première L'incoronazione di Poppea

Nederlandse Reisopera
Opera from 1642 in three acts with a prologue, based on Tacitus' Annals, libretto by Giovanni Francesco Busenello.
Sat 5 Apr 2025 19:30
Sat 5 Apr 2025
19:30
  • Sat 5 Apr 2025
    19:30
    Incl. garderobe en (pauze)drankje
    Wilminktheater, Enschede
    Pay. Zaal
    Tickets

The story of the coronation of Poppea combines the best and worst in humanity.

This successful production by director Ted Huffman garnered high praise during the Aix-en-Provence Festival (2022) and in Versailles (2023).

This is reason enough for the Dutch National Touring Opera to be the first to bring this production to the Netherlands! Under the bloody reign of the young Emperor Nerone, nothing and no one can stop the rise of the beautiful and immoral Poppea. Even the most flamboyant Shakespearean dramas and the best TV series of today pale in comparison to this production when it comes to vividly portraying the passions of humanity—from the bedroom to the political arena.

The story of the coronation of Poppea combines the best and worst in humanity through a cast of ambivalent protagonists and colorful supporting characters, all set to the gripping music of Monteverdi. Director Ted Huffman has created a role-playing spectacle that exposes the mechanisms of human society as an eternal comedy of power and seduction. 

Saturday, April 5th at the Wilmink Theater in Enschede: Premiere of *L'incoronazione di Poppea*.

Part of

"Magnificent production, a powerful and intense piece of theater."

OperaWire

Credits

**TEAM**  
Musical Direction - Mónica Pustilnik  
Director - Ted Huffman  
Set Design - Johannes Schütz/Anna Wörl  
Costume Design - Astrid Klein  
Lighting Design - Bertrand Couderc  
Movement Director - Pim Veulings  
Dramaturg - Antonio Cuenca Ruiz  

**CAST**  
Poppea - Catherine Trottmann  
Nerone - Jake Arditti  
Ottavia / Virtu - Luciana Mancini  
Ottone - NN  
Seneca - NN  
Arnalta / Nutrice / Farnigliarii 1 - Marcel Beekman  
Fortuna / Drusilla - Lilian Farahani  
Amore / Valetto - Lucia Martin Carton  
Lucano / Soldier 1 / Farnigliari 2 - Steven van der Linden  
Liberto / Soldier 2 - Riccardo Romeo  
Littore / Farnigliari 3 - Yannis Francoise  

Accompanied by - Cappella Mediterranea

**The Story**

The Roman Emperor Nerone is in love with the courtesan Poppea; he wants to make her his wife and divorce his lawful wife, Ottavia. Nerone's mentor, Seneca, finds these plans morally and politically reprehensible and pays for his opposition with forced suicide. The desperate Ottavia decides to have Poppea murdered and, through blackmail, forces Ottone, Poppea's former lover, to carry out the assassination. Ottone enlists the help of Drusilla, whom he had previously left for Poppea. Torn between love and resentment, Ottone, disguised in Drusilla's cloak, sneaks up on the sleeping Poppea. However, the murder is thwarted by Amore, who promises that Poppea will be crowned empress that very day. Drusilla, whose cloak is recognized, is captured and brought before Nerone, who interrogates her harshly. To protect Ottone, she takes all the blame. When Ottone hears this, he reveals the truth. He is banished, and as a reward for her loyalty, Drusilla is allowed to accompany him. Nerone now has a good reason to divorce Ottavia and banishes her from Rome forever. Poppea is crowned empress, and in a euphoric final duet, Nerone and Poppea sing of their love.