Attractive and Well Sung
Agrippina is one of Handel's earliest operas, composed during his stay in Italy. It is a comedy with two intersecting plots: the title character's machinations to persuade her husband, aging Roman Emperor Claudius, to designate her son, Nero, as successor; and the competition of Claudius, Nero, and General Otho (Ottone) for the affection of Poppea. Agrippina has become somewhat popular of late because of its good tunes and accessible story.
Some productions ham up the action, but this one captures the humor without taking things to excess. The costumes are generally attractive: somewhat Elizabethan in the first act, although Poppea wears a purple low-cut top with matching pants. Scenery ranges from minimal to nonexistent, but is not missed. The lighting is very effective. The English subtitles are colloquial, and there are separate chapters for most arias.
With the exception of countertenor David Cordier as Ottone, the singers are not widely known, but they...
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