Lyric Opera Presents Monteverdi's CORONATION OF POPPEA

Lyric Opera presents The Coronation of Poppea; Monteverdi's passionate baroque drama, in which greed and thirst for power take no prisoners, at Chapel off Chapel from July 15-22.

Commemorating the 450th year of Monteverdi's birth, Lyric Opera is re-imagining his last and arguably greatest opera, The Coronation of Poppea, in an edgy and intimate production that sets the story in 1960s Rome.

First performed in Venice in 1643, in The Coronation of Poppea the beautiful Poppea uses her feminine charms to convince the Emperor Nero to abandon his wife, destroy his friends and crown her Empress.

Lyric's Artistic Director, Pat Miller, said the themes of greed, passion and power would strike a chord with contemporary audiences: "Don't think of it as an opera. Think House of Cards meets a Melbourne pop up bar or art show with a seriously old school soundtrack - hipster heaven! It's the perfect show for opera novices and established aficionados alike."

Making his operatic debut, Director Tyran Parke will draw on his work in contemporary musical theatre - most recently a sold out season of Big Fish at Hayes Theatre in Sydney - to give the production a fresh feel.

"Poppea draws on an unimaginable thirst for power, while also exploring love. Both themes are incredibly relevant over 400 years later. We will respect the integrity of the score, but bring grit and contemporary energy," he said.

"Lyric Opera are the perfect company to push the envelope on this production; they have given me creative freedom to stretch traditional boundaries and really bring something special to it."

The cast will be led by Rebecca Rashleigh in the title role opposite Opera Australia's Nick Jones as Nero, making his Lyric debut. Caroline Vercoe will play the scorned Empress alongside countertenor sensation Nicholas Tolputt and bass DamIan Whiteley.

Performed up close and personal in the intimate setting of Chapel off Chapel, The Coronation of Poppea will be sung in Italian with English surtitles, accompanied by an eclectic instrumental ensemble. The design team includes Lyric regulars Rob Sowinski and Bryn Cullen along with rising talent Dann Barber.

The Coronation of Poppea will be performed from July 15 to 22, at 7.30pm at Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran.

Tickets are available at Chapel off Chapel.

About Lyric Opera of Melbourne

Lyric Opera of Melbourne delivers innovative and rare operatic experiences. The company is committed to programming lesser known works, including Australian works, in intimate environments, providing opportunities for emerging artists and engaging diverse audiences.

More information can be found at lyricopera.com.au.

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