Erica Schuller* as Poppea
Kimberly McCord as Ottavia
Kristin Knutson* as Drusilla and Fortuna
Lindsay Metzger as Nerone
Elijah MacCormack* as Amore and Valletto
Sofia Troncoso as Virtù, Damigella, and Pallade
Michael Skarke* as Ottone
Justin Berkowitz* as Arnalta
Ryan Townsend Strand as Primo Soldato, Liberto, and Console
Jianghai Ho as Soldato, Lucano, and Famigliari
David Govertsen as Seneca
Dorian McCall as Famigliari, Littore, and Tribuni
Performances:
September 22-24, 2022 at 7:30pm
September 25, 2022 at 3pm
Performance Runtime: 3 hours, including two 20 minute intermissions
Jarvis Opera Hall
Holtschneider Performance Center at DePaul University
800 W Belden Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Ancient Rome as seen through the eyes of 17th-century Venice: Haymarket's long-awaited production of L'incoronazione di Poppea by Claudio Monteverdi stars Erica Schuller in the title role opposite Lindsay Metzger as Roman Emperor Nero and a cast of HOC favorites. Hear Monteverdi's final operatic masterpiece with its original scoring for chamber ensemble of harpsichords, theorbo, and strings.
Just one year before his death, at the age of 76, Claudio Monteverdi wrote his final and one of the greatest operas of all time, L’incoronazione di Poppea.
The sordid story of Roman emperor Nero banishing his wife Octavia and ordering the death of the philosopher Seneca in order to elevate his mistress Poppea to the throne inspired some of Monteverdi’s most profound and dramatic music. With its multitude of flawed human characters placed in dangerous situations, Giovanni Francesco Busenello’s libretto is often said to be one of the finest in the history of opera.
Haymarket’s long-awaited new production, originally scheduled for June, 2019, debuts in the beautiful new Jarvis Opera Hall at DePaul University. A superb cast is led by Erica Schuller (Poppea) and Lindsay Metzger (Nerone), and includes beloved Haymarket performers Kimberly McCord (Ottavia), David Govertsen (Seneca) and Kristin Knuston (Drusilla and Fortuna). In their company debuts, HOC welcomes Michael Skarke (Ottone), Elijah McCormack (Valleto and Amore), and Sofia Troncoso (Virtù, Damigella, and Pallade), alongside Justin Berkowitz (Arnalta and Nutrice), Ryan Townsend Strand (Primo soldato, Liberto, Console), Jianghai Ho (Lucano, Secondo soldato, and Famigliaro II), and Dorian McCall (Famigliaro III, Littore, and Tribuni). With a special cameo performance from Haymarket general director and tenor Chase Hopkins (Mercurio).