L'Incoronazione di Poppea

Venue: El Cerrito Performing Arts Theater
Date: Fri February 1, 2013 8:00pm
City: El Cerrito
Email: info@westedgeopra.org
Price Range: $27 to $78
Tickets: 510-841-1903

West Edge Opera

Written in 1642, Poppea is one of the earliest operas. But even in 1642, sensuality ruled the day. Emperor Nero can’t get his mind off the beautiful and sensual Poppea. He thinks about Poppea more than he thinks about his country and especially his empress Ottavia.

Nero is Christine Brandes, international recording artist famed for her baroque portrayals. Poppea is Emma McNairy, last seen on the WEO stage as Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. Otone, Poppea’s spurned lover, is played by Ryan Belongie, our countertenor from Xerxes. Drusilla is noted baroque singer Tonia D’Amelio. Ottavia is played by Erin Neff, who was a passionate Myrtle in Ensemble Paralléle's recent production of The Great Gatsby. Mark Streshinsky directs and MusicSources Artistic Director Gilbert Martinez conducts from the harpsichord. Our production is a new edition created by Mark and Gilbert.

Presented in collaboration with MusicSources.

• Sung in Italian with English supertitles
• Pre-performance lecture in the library beginning 45 mins prior to curtain
• Free preview January 24, 12:15-1:00 pm, Art & Music Room, Berkeley Main Library
• Free lecture on Monteverdi and Poppea by Gilbert Martinez from MusicSources, January 26, 10 am, Berkeley North Branch Library Community Room