Search - Monteverdi - L'Incoronazione di Poppea on DVD

A Classic Production--Highly Recommended

Paul Van de Water | Virginia, USA | 03/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Coronation of Poppea" is Monteverdi's last--and, many would say, greatest--opera. This video of "Poppea" was filmed in 1979 in connection with performances at the Zurich Opera House. Directed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, the opera is presented as it might have been seen at its 1643 premiere in Venice. But although the set and costumes are baroque, the actions and emotions are contemporary, and the production is both visually and dramatically appealing.

As always, conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt finds the full measure of drama in the music. For the opera house, Harnoncourt's performing version differs in two major respects from that of his 1974 audio recording (available on Teldec CD). First, some cuts are made. (The video runs for 162 minutes, the audio for 215 minutes.) Second, the role of Nero is sung by a tenor (Eric Tappy) instead of a soprano. The vocal and instrumental performances are uniformly excellent, as is the remastered sound. (The boy soprano who sings Amore is outstanding.)

Paul Van de Water"

Finally!

R. Haskins | Dover, New Hampshire, USA | 11/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved this video for years--had it on laserdisc since 1993. I love the acting and direction and am so glad to own it in a more convenient format again!"