Ryedale Festival Opera return to Grimeborn with Monteverdi’s greatest opera – an ‘immorality tale’ of power, lust and corruption in Imperial Rome.
Nero’s wife, Ottavia, is cast aside in favour of his mistress, Poppea; the philosopher Seneca is rewarded for his temperate and judicious advice by being forced to commit suicide; Poppea’s former lover, Ottone, is blackmailed into an unsuccessful attempt to murder her. And, as the illicit couple gradually emerge with everything they wanted, Monteverdi draws us deeper and deeper into this gripping and disturbing world with some of the most complex and ravishingly beautiful music he ever wrote.
The opera will be sung in a new translation by John Warrack.
“This was a triumph, another feather in Ryedale’s operatic cap” ★★★★★The York Press
“There were really promising young voices on display” ★★★★ Music OMH
“A splendid production” The Scarborough News
Yorkshire Post
“What do you do when you discover that the Arts Council has not merely cut but totally demolished your grant of £45,000 at one fell swoop? You quickly retract the two fingers you found unfurling in your pocket, dust yourself down and do even better than before. At least, that was Ryedale Festival Opera’s answer…Evenings like this are too good to miss. Postscript to Arts Council metropolites: rural festivals are essential breeding-grounds for young singers, and to be neglected at your, and our, peril”
Opera Magazine
“with its unerring knack of flushing out operas that are ideally suited to their surroundings Ryedale Festival Opera has hit the target yet again…there were only nine singers, but not a weak link among them…vivacious, emotional and clear toned…a poignant and rewarding show”
Opera magazine
“one of my favourite operas, and of the many productions I have seen, Ryedale Festival Opera’s budget performance is among the most enjoyable .… imaginative and delightful production…..young singers of immense potential”
Yorkshire Post
“Ryedale Festival does what all festivals should but few do. It delves into parts of the repertory where other promoters fear to tread”
The Press
Recommended for all ages
Running time is approximately 3hrs
