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- 23 Apr 2017
L’incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea) – Opera in one Prologue and three Acts. Music attributed to Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643) and Francesco Sacrati (1605 – 1650). Final composed by Francesco Sacrati and Benedetto Ferrari (1597 – 1681). Libretto by Giovanni Francesco Busenello (ca. 1598–1659). First Performance: Venice, Teatro SS. Giovanni e Paolo – Grimani, Carnival 1643.
Summary of the Plot of Poppea
The goddesses of virtue and fortune quarrel about who is the most powerful. Amore, the god of Love, interrupts to assert that he is more powerful than either of them, and boasts that he will prove it to them. Ottone, Poppea’s long-time lover, returns after a long absence to find her having an affair with Emperor Nerone. Nerone has promised that as soon as he can rid himself of his wife, Empress Ottavia, he will marry Poppea and put her on the throne. The emperor ignores the advice of his tutor Seneca, who has tried to dissuade him, and Nerone orders him to commit suicide. Ottavia plots to have Ottone kill Poppea. Drusilla, who loves Ottone, helps disguise him with her own clothing. Amore intervenes, the plot is foiled, and Drusilla is accused of the crime. When Ottavia is revealed as the perpetrator, Ottone asks to be exiled together with Drusilla, whom he realizes he loves. Ottavia is banished from the realm, and Poppea is crowned Empress of Rome.
—Ellen Hargis
Synopsis of Poppea
Prologue
The goddesses of virtue and fortune acrimoniously debate who is the more powerful of the two. Amore, the god of Love joins the argument and boasts that he is the one who prevail in heaven and on earth. The two goddesses concede his supremacy, but Amore proposes a challenge and lays a wager: in one day, he will defeat both and will change the face of the world.
Act I
Just before dawn, Ottone returns to Rome from his foreign exploits, full of desire for Poppea, but discovers some servants of Emperor Nerone in front of her rooms. He realizes that Poppea is having an affair with Nerone. The emperor’s guards complain about their obligations, curse Amore, Nerone, and the scandal of his affair with Poppea, while detailing the empire’s deteriorating condition. They also gossip about the statesman Seneca, whom they blame for the government’s corruption. They are silenced by the appearance of Nerone who bids farewell to Poppea, promising her that as soon as he can repudiate his wife, he will crown Poppea Empress of Rome. Nerone returns to his imperial duties, and Poppea gloats to her nurse Arnalta that she will soon realize her ambitions to be crowned. Arnalta cautions her that the current empress, Ottavia, has discovered her affair with Nerone, but Poppea insists that Amore and Fortuna will do battle for her cause. The scorned Empress Ottavia laments her state: she rails against Nerone and Poppea, and curses the fate of women. Ottavia’s nurse enters and tries to console her, suggesting that she take a lover of her own in revenge. The empress disdains this vulgar advice. Seneca, Nerone’s tutor, philosophizes that Ottavia’s tears are unworthy of an empress; he advises stoic dignity in the face of adversity. Ottavia rejects these ideas as specious and useless to her suffering and asks Seneca to plead her cause to the Senate. The page Valletto mocks Seneca, and threatens to harass him unless he helps the empress. Seneca, left alone, mulls over the weight of imperial duties. The goddess Pallade appears to Seneca and warns him of ominous tidings. She announces that if today should bring his death, Mercurio shall visit him when it is the hour for him to die. Nerone enters, and announces to Seneca his intention to divorce Ottavia and marry Poppea. Seneca warns him that his judgment is affected by his feelings. Nerone retorts that his powers are above the law, and angrily ends the argument by insisting that he will have his own way. The emperor then goes to find comfort with his mistress: Poppea, aware that Seneca is an obstacle to her ambition, suggests to Nerone that Seneca boasts of being the real power behind the throne. Nerone, outraged, commands that Seneca commit suicide immediately for his treason. Ottone complains to Poppea of her infidelity to him; she tells him that it is Fortuna’s doing, not hers, as she must follow her fate. He persists until, weary of his entreaties, Poppea declares she belongs to Nerone. Arnalta is filled with compassion for Ottone, and leaves the unfortunate lover to rage about Poppea’s deception. Ottone starts to fear for his own life, as he is an obstacle to Poppea’s ambition. Drusilla, a lady at court in love with Ottone, wonders why he continues to be faithful to the fickle Poppea. Drusilla is overjoyed when Ottone claims to be free now to love her, but he admits to himself that he is still in love with Poppea, and blames Amore for his plight.
Act II
The god Mercurio appears to Seneca and tells him of his impending death, but promises him immortality. Liberto, a captain in the Praetorian Guard, arrives to deliver the news to Seneca that Nerone has demanded his suicide. Seneca’s circle tries to persuade him against it, praising the simple joys of life, but he stoically accepts his fate. Damigella, a maid to the empress, and Valletto, the page, engage in youthful flirtation. They tease and play, then leave together to enjoy their love. Nerone celebrates Seneca’s death and orders his friend, the poet Lucano, to sing in praise of Poppea’s beauty. The emperor himself composes an ode to the charms of his mistress. Meanwhile, Ottavia, mad with jealousy, plots to kill Poppea. She commands Ottone to do the deed, counseling him to disguise himself in women’s clothing in order to go unnoticed by Nerone. Ottone protests, but Ottavia threatens to accuse him of rape if he doesn’t comply. Ottone despairs at having to kill the woman he still loves. Drusilla rejoices at her good fortune, remembering Ottone’s vow of love. Valletto teases the nurse of the empress about her old age; the wise and sympathetic nurse encourages Drusilla to pursue her love. Ottone, torn between his feelings for Poppea and fear of Ottavia’s punishment, arrives to tell Drusilla of his dreaded task. The young lady offers to help by giving him some of her clothing to wear as a disguise. Poppea invokes Love to help her become empress. Arnalta still cautions her against ambition, but Poppea will not be swayed. She lies down to rest, while Arnalta sings a lullaby. As Poppea sleeps, Amore is watching, and ready to guard her. Ottone slips in, disguised as Drusilla. As he is about to stab Poppea, the god of Love awakens her, and she calls out in alarm. The assassination foiled, Ottone, unrecognized, flees as Arnalta screams for help. Amore congratulates himself on his success, and vows that he shall make Poppea Empress.
Act III
Drusilla is rejoicing, believing her rival to be dead, when Arnalta appears and accuses her of attempted murder; Littore arrests the young lady. Brought before Nerone, Drusilla confesses to the deed in order to protect Ottone. Ottone arrives, protesting and claiming to be the guilty party, but reveals that he was acting under Ottavia’s orders. Nerone now has a reason to repudiate Ottavia, and in his mercy, merely condemns Ottone and Drusilla to exile. Nerone formally divorces Ottavia, and banishes her from the Empire. The emperor then tells Poppea that he is free to marry her and make her empress. Defeated, Ottavia bids an anguished farewell to Rome, while Arnalta boasts that she has risen in social position and is now a fine lady. The tribunes and consuls crown Poppea Empress of Rome, Amore sings of his triumph, and Poppea and Nerone express their love for each other.
—Gilbert Blin and Ellen Hargis
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