Review: Monteverdi’s Poppea at Jackson’s Lane Community Centre
Operatic eroticism in spades in this new production from Hampstead Garden Opera
Thursday, 18th May 2017 — By Sebastian Taylor
Poppea sung by Grace Carter
Hampstead Garden Opera has come up trumps again with its production of Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea at Jackson’s Lane Community Centre, Highgate, till Sunday evening (May 21), including a Saturday matinée (May 20).
Early on, well done and well sung is the duet where Poppea (Grace Carter) uses her sexual magnatism to bend Nero (CN Lester) to her will. Truly, it’s operatic eroticism in spades and sets the tone for strong performances throughout, supported by dynamic Musica Poetica ensemble underpinnings.
A new translation fits the music like a glove and, an innovation for the HGO, the piece is sung in the original language with English surtitles.
Highly recommended for Monteverdi fans and other early opera devotees.
