More than 50 years before Händel’s Agrippina, Monteverdi took an interest in the Emperor Nero’s court, where amorous desire literally seizes power. To interpret these characters devoured by passion, the singers of this new production can count on the powerful theatricality of the stage director, Jean-François Sivadier. After collaborating on Le Nozze di Figaro in 2008, he is reunited with Emmanuelle Haïm at the Lille Opera to bring out the physical and sensual dimension of Monteverdi’s final opera.

Opera in one prologue and three acts by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643).
Libretto by Giovanni Francesco Busenello after Tacite.
Premiered in 1642 in Venice.

Conductor Emmanuelle Haïm
Stage director Jean-François Sivadier
Assistant of the stage director Véronique Timsit
Scenography Alexandre de Dardel
Lights Philippe Berthomé
Costumes Virginie Gervaise

With
Sonya Yoncheva Poppea
Max Emmanuel Cencic Nerone
Ann Hallenberg Ottavia
Tim Mead Ottone
Paul Whelan Seneca
Amel Brahim-Djelloul Drusilla
Martin Oro Nutrice / Famigliare di Seneca
Emiliano Gonzalez Toro Arnalta
Anna Wall Fortuna / Venere / Pallade
Khatouna GadeliaValetto / Virtù
Aimery Lefèvre Mercurio / Console
Camille Poul Damigella / Amore
Patrick Schramm Littore / Famigliare di Seneca /Console
Mathias Vidal Lucano / soldato / tribuno / Famigliare di Seneca
Nicholas Mulroy Liberto Capitano / soldato / tribuno

Le Concert d’Astrée
Ensemble in residency at Lille Opera.
Société Générale Patronage Musicale is principal patron of Le Concert d’Astree. 
Le Concert d’Astree, ensemble in residence at the Lille Opera, benefits from support from the Ministry of Culture and Communication – DRAC Nord-Pas de Calais.

SA 17 MARCH FROM 12:00 AM TO 6:30 PM
Happy Day
with the musicians of Le Concert d’Astrée and Jean-François Sivadier.
Detailed programme available in February 2012.
Free admission.

SU 18 MARCH AT 8 PM
an encounter
with Emmanuelle Haïm & Jean-François Sivadier following the performance.
Free admission without reservation, limited to availability of places.

IN MARCH
Wednesday concerts at 6 pm
with the soloists of Le Concert d’Astrée.
Programme to be announced.