Monteverdi - L'Incoronazione Di Poppea / Leppard, Ewing, Bailey, Duesing, Lloyd, Gale, Clarey, Glyndebourne

This is a finely tuned opera with music by the Italian composer, Claudio Monteverdi, libretto by G. E. Busenello, and the fine voices of contralto Maria Ewing, baritone Dennis Bailey, and several other sub-leads is not to be missed and will be fully enjoyed. No lead tenor here and none needed. No soprano here as a lead and none needed. One of the joys of my watching and listening outside the opera hall. The story line is strong and the tale well carried out. With English subtitles and in VHS format. Robert M. Nied, Jacksonville, Florida.

Maria Ewing is as beautiful and sexy as everyone says, but she is not the only attraction! Several of the supporting cast are equally fine. Now I don't have a complete cast list--there is nothing on the package saying who plays Poppea's nurse, Arnalta, but whoever she is she's an abundant, beautiful mezzo. The sopranos who sing Drusilla, the Damigella, and Amore are also wonderful, as are the supporting tenors, who play Nero's singing buddy ("Cantia-a-a-a-a-am!") and the Valetto. Best of all is Robert Lloyd, who sings Seneca with seemingly-limitless depth, and gives the character all his irritating mannerisms.The weaknesses include Dennis Bailey's hoarse-sounding Nero, and Cynthia Clarey's thin Ottavia. Ottone is sung by a baritone rather than by the more traditional countertenor.The sets and costumes are traditional, although the acting is unusually sexy for this period. It's not just Ewing; the flirtatious scene between the Valetto and Damigella ("Sento un certo non so che...") is quite racy.

The Glyndebourne Festival Opera made this a magnificent production of L'Incoronazione di Poppea. Even if you're not an avid opera fan, you will find that both the music of Monteverdi and the staging of the opera by Glyndebourne will enthrall you. If you also happen to be interested in foreign languages, you have the added bonus of subtitles in French, German and Spanish, not to mention English. This recording is really spectacular. I've only had it a month and I'm afraid I'm going to wear it out because I keep playing certain segments over and over again. You'll be glad you purchased this one for your collection, I assure you.

I just love this video version of this opera. I saw it many years ago and owned it on videotape. I was thrilled to find it in DVD format since my videotape player has gone the way of the dinosaur.

Excellent performance of a remarkable opera. Monteverdi was every bit as skilled at bringing out the dark side of human nature as he was the spiritual.

Great performance with subtitles.

Tonight's Viewing~Thanks

I have three different productions of this opera and this is the best of the three.However the other two are dvd.

I am not up on early opera but on hearing a radio performance of Monteverdi's Orfeo, I was wowed. I ordered "Poppea" instead, simply because Maria Ewing on the cover looked so exotic and alluring. I second everything that the first two reviewers have said. The staging is beautiful, the singing wonderful and the orchestra is superb. I can't wait to spring this one on my opera friends for whom anything before Handel is terra incognito. I just wish I could see Maria Ewing on Blue Ray.