Monteverdi – L’incoronazione di Poppea (Complete Opera Recording, 3CD) | United Classics

Product Details

UPC: 8713545221367  
Label / Brand: United Classics / Nuova Era  
Format: 3 × CD (Complete Opera Recording)  
Genre: Opera – Favola Regia  
Recording Year: 1988  
Release / License: 2013, M.A.T. Music Theme Licensing Ltd / T2 International BV  
MNB: T2CD2112136  
Country of Manufacture: EU

Overview

Claudio Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea (1643) is celebrated as the first great opera to place historical figures and real human passions at its center, rather than mythological allegory. Based on the turbulent reign of Emperor Nero and his infamous union with Poppea, this opera blends politics, betrayal, and forbidden love into a gripping favola regia.

This 1988 recording, conducted by Alberto Zedda with the Orchestra Pro Arte Bassano, offers an authentic and stylistically informed interpretation. Daniela Dessì embodies the ambitious Poppea with radiant lyricism, while Josella Ligi portrays Nero’s obsessive power with striking vocal color. Adelisa Tabiadon as Ottavia and Armando Caforio as Seneca bring dramatic depth, with Susanna Anselmi as Ottone completing a stellar cast.

Cast & Performers

• Poppea – Daniela Dessì (soprano)
• Ottavia (Oktavia) – Adelisa Tabiadon (mezzo-soprano)
• Nerone (Nero) – Josella Ligi (soprano)
• Seneca – Armando Caforio (bass)
• Ottone – Susanna Anselmi (soprano)

Orchestra Pro Arte Bassano Conductor: Alberto Zedda

Product Features

• Complete 3-CD set of Monteverdi’s late masterpiece
• Historically informed performance practice
• Internationally renowned cast led by Daniela Dessì
• Libretto: Giovanni Francesco Busenello (based on Tacitus and Suetonius)
• Clear EU pressing and durable packaging

Interesting Facts

• L’incoronazione di Poppea premiered in Venice, 1643, and is Monteverdi’s final opera.
• Unlike earlier operas rooted in mythology, it portrays real Roman history, making it a groundbreaking work.
• The opera’s famous duet “Pur ti miro” is one of the earliest and most enduring love duets in operatic history.
• Alberto Zedda, a leading conductor in baroque and bel canto repertoire, ensures a stylistically faithful performance.

Tracklist (3-CD Edition)

CD 1 – Prologue & Act I

1. Prologo: Virtù, Fortuna, Amore
2. Act I Scene 1 – La mia luce, il mio tesoro (Poppea, Nerone)
3. Scene 2 – Signor, deh non partire (Ottavia, Ottone)
4. Scene 3 – Non temer, non paventar (Seneca, Ottavia)
5. Scene 4 – Incenerite, o cieli (Nerone, Lucano)
6. Scene 5 – Ohimè! (Ottone, Poppea)
7. Finale Act I – Lasciatemi morir (Ottavia)

CD 2 – Act II

1. Scene 1 – Seneca, Seneca, tu vuoi morire (Seneca, Nerone)
2. Scene 2 – Addio Roma (Ottavia)
3. Scene 3 – Dormo ancora o son desto? (Poppea)
4. Scene 4 – O anime sconsolate (Seneca’s Death)
5. Scene 5 – E pur io torno qui (Ottone, Drusilla)
6. Scene 6 – Non morir, Seneca (Chorus)
7. Finale Act II – Su, su, su, correte (Ensemble)

CD 3 – Act III

1. Scene 1 – Addio, Roma (Ottavia’s Lament)
2. Scene 2 – O felice Drusilla (Ottone, Drusilla)
3. Scene 3 – O come, dolce amore (Poppea, Nerone)
4. Scene 4 – Hor che Seneca è morto (Conspirators’ Chorus)
5. Scene 5 – Non ti lagnar, non pianger (Nerone, Lucano)
6. Scene 6 – Pur ti miro, pur ti godo (Final Duet: Nerone & Poppea)
7. Coro finale – Trionfo dell’amore

(Tracklist follows standard edition layout; timings vary by pressing.)

Publishers & Licensing

• Nuova Era / Companions Classics – 1988 Recording, licensed 2013
• M.A.T. Music Theme Licensing Ltd
• Distributed by United Classics
• Manufactured and printed in the EU

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