Premiere: Agrippina

Opera in three Acts by George Frideric Handel
Libretto by Vincenzo Grimani (HWV 6)
Staged performance in Italian

Rome 54 A.D.: Nero must become Emperor! Agrippina is intent on installing her son at the centre of power, come what may. When rumour reaches her that her husband Caesar Claudius has died in a shipwreck, Agrippina thinks her moment has come. And even when the news of Claudius’ death turns out to be untrue, she will not relent. She makes false accusations against Otto, who saved Claudius from the depths, and sows discord between him and his beloved Poppea. Will Agrippina emerge triumphant or will her adversaries manage to cut through the jungle of political conspiracy? George Frideric Handel wrote this, one of his most impressive works, in Venice in 1709, achieving with the tale about Rome’s great female schemer his first truly resounding success as an opera composer.

Further Performances:

17.05., 3pm / 18.05., 3pm / 22.05., 7pm
24.05., 4pm / 25.05., 3pm