Hermeticism and Shagging: Robin Norton-Hale's staging of Monteverdi's Coronation of Poppea opens the new season at English Touring Opera.

Metaphysical yet coarsely demotic, it's strong on sexual ambiguity, weak on imperial politics, and very flawed overall despite some nice singing.

My review for The Guardian:-

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/01/the-coronation-of-poppea-review-english-touring-opera-robin-norton-hale

@classicalmusic #Monteverdi #Poppea

The Coronation of Poppea review – ETO’s gender-fluid staging has fizz but also flaws

Monteverdi’s opera about unfettered desire is pulled into the present day in Robin Norton-Hale’s stylised production with fine singing and solid musical support from Yshani Perinpanayagam

The Guardian