Composer: Frideric Handel
Handel’s tale of intrigue and impropriety in ancient Rome receives its first Met performances, with star mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato as the controlling, power-hungry Agrippina and Harry Bicket conducting. Sir David McVicar’s production ingeniously reframes the action of this black comedy about the abuse of power to “the present,” where it should loudly resonate. The all-star cast features mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey as Agrippina’s son and future emperor Nerone, soprano Brenda Rae as the seductive Poppea, countertenor Iestyn Davies as the ambitious officer Ottone, and bass Matthew Rose as the weary emperor Claudius.
Music historian Jeffrey Engel will present today’s opera
talk, offering historical context for the composer and the opera story. In Paris for 14 years, Mr. Engel studied
cello, art history and earned diplomas in French. As a cellist he played with orchestras in France,
including the Paris Opera, performed in chamber ensembles and taught in
municipal conservatories. A graduate of
Ithaca College, & a teacher at Northwestern Connecticut Community College,
Mr. Engel brings a rich knowledge of music history to each lecture, with musical
excerpts.
Registration is appreciated.