Coronation of Poppaea

By Monteverdi

Opera Seria

Soprano, alto, castrato, chorus for tenors and basses

Librettist: Giovanni Busenello

Characters:

Nero- Roman emperor, soprano (sometimes counter-tenor)

Poppaea- Nero's lover, soprano

Seneca- tutor and friend to Nero, philosopher, Bass

Ottavia- Nero's wife, Roman empress, soprano

Ottone (Otho)- Poppaea's husband, male alto

Drusilla- a lady of the court, soprano

Story has its basis in history instead of mythology.

Ritornello

Text- MOST IMPORTANT! drama and emotion

Montiverdi's style- freedom

Act III- scene 7

F Major modulates and ends in Bb major

4/4

Consuls and Tribunes singing during the crowning of Poppaea

Duet: Pur ti miro (I adore you)

A-B-B-A- lays foundation for A-B-A

G Major

12/8

Adagio

Nero and Poppaea

Imitation style

Word Painting

Eroticism