Monteverdi often composed music of emotional intensity and strove to create unprecedented passion and dramatic contrast in his works. Poppea was composed in 1642 and the performance took place at the Teatro Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice during the Carnival season in 1643.
This work was rightly regarded as one of the pivotal and milestones in operatic history and the first known opera which Monteverdi was inspired by actual historical events to publish it, rather than drawing on mythology. It takes its cue from Roman history: the relationship between the Roman aristocrat Sabina Poppea and Emperor Nero and relies heavily on the decidedly human failings that drove them. It was not only becoming the driving force behind a new and unique form of entertainment, but Monteverdi also took opera in a whole new direction.
The plot gave Monteverdi a long-awaited opportunity to demonstrate the developments and changes in characters and the libretto (composed by Gian Francesco Busenello), promoted Monteverdi’s adoption of Marinist musical techniques and idiom. He rose to meet the challenge with every devices and subtlety in his artistic armoury. Ground basses, balanced forms, key themes, arioso-recitatives, vocal embellishments, contrasting ritornels – these and many more are deployed with all the art of a mature musician intent on raising opera to a new level of emotional experience.
The seeping of blood as the tragedy ensues makes a powerful point and above all, the Shakespearean quality of Monteverdi’s imagination, that was unparalleled in opera before Mozart.
Nero and Poppea were treasured to one another, and sing one of the most beautiful and intimate of all Monteverdi’s duets for they were clear that his music itself is the treasure and shining brilliantly through no matter what arrangement, orchestration, or adaption might be foisted upon it.
This aria sung here by Sonya Yoncheva (Poppea) and Kate Lindsay (Nero) is one of the most seductive interpretations where the two voices contain a richness and variety that lends to the drama of this dangerous liaison.
