Monteverdi: L`incoronazione di Poppea (Rousset)

Introduction

Monteverdi`s opera, in a 1994 production from Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, conducted by Christophe Rousset.

This work, completed towards the end of Monteverdi`s life, is one of the greatest operas ever written, yet was first created only 50 or so years after opera as an art-form developed out of attempts (in Italy) to reconstruct the Greek tragedy through music and drama.

The Coronation of Poppea broke the mould in that it was a historical opera, rather than being based on pastoral settings, or works by long dead Greek poets. Because of this, it made an immediate impression on its first audience (in Venice, 1642) who probably recognised the scheming, adultery and general bloodthirsty licentiousness from their own society.

Video

As with other Opus-Arte releases, video is presented in region-free NTSC anamorphic widescreen.

The video quality on the DVD is very fine indeed and details in costume and scenery are nice and clear. There is quite a problem with the camera settings though, as we often have shots looking over the orchestra onto the stage. Normally this wouldn`t be a problem, but in this theatre, the orchestra pit is almost at stage level, and at times it seems the singers are being molested by some large scroll on the larger baroque instruments.

Audio

Overall, the sound is excellent, with few balance problems, but sometimes we miss out on a few sung notes when the characters are facing the back of the stage. The DVD comes in LPCM stereo or DTS surround.

Features

Extras include a woefully short (8 minutes only!) `Introduction` to the work, and this production in particular, an illustrated synopsis (picture of the production with commentary), and a cast gallery (just pictures of the singers).

The booklet which comes with the DVD includes a short essay by Christophe Rousset on the historical importance of the opera.

A shame Opus-Arte can`t produce more extensive documentaries on all their DVDs, such as those we have on the Haydn String Quartets, or the Rameau opera-ballet, `Les Indes Galantes`.

Subtitles are in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

Conclusion

Despite the shortcomings in the extras department, this is a very fine addition to the Opus-Arte catalogue.

The singing is universally excellent, with Michael Chance producing some wonderful moments as Ottone, and Ning Liang`s (Ottavia) "Disprezzata regina" from Act 1 being the highlight (for me at least) of the whole DVD. It was also great to hear (and see) Claron McFadden sing this style of music, as I had only experienced her performing Harrison Birtwistle beforehand.

Special mention has to be made to Cynthia Haymon (Poppea) and Brigitte Balleys (Nerone) for creating one of the most erotic scenes I think I`ve seen in an opera - and despite the fondling, carry on singing brilliantly. The things some people do for their art, eh?

The orchestration for this production is almost perfect. The original manuscripts for the work wouldn`t have specified instruments, or indeed how the notes were played in many cases and so we experience a soundworld which makes Monteverdi`s music appear even more forward-looking than it already was at the time.

So then, a fine DVD, let down only by the relative lack of extras, but this shouldn`t stop anyone interested in the beginnings of large-scale dramatic opera from snapping it up.