'Coronation of Poppea' on OC stage

"The Coronation of Poppea," Claudio Monteverdi's final operatic masterpiece about obsessive love, politics, murder, and deception, will be staged by the Oberlin College Opera Theater beginning Wednesday, March 12, at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium, 67 N. Main St.

Giovanni Francesco Busenello's libretto is based on historical incidents about the Roman Emperor Nero and his beautiful mistress, Poppea, as described in "The Annals," by the historian Tacitus. "The Coronation of Poppea," which will be performed in two acts with one intermission, will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.

The Oberlin Conservatory of Music is a pioneer and leader in the field of historical performance. In the production of "The Coronation of Poppea," such early baroque instruments as the chitarrone, harpsichord, cornetto, recorder, and viola da gamba will join the string ensemble of the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, resulting in a musical experience that closely resembles the time in which Monteverdi lived and composed.

Grammy-nominated conductor and director Stephen Stubbs will conduct the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra; he will also perform on the baroque guitar and the chitarrone, a 16th-century string instrument that was developed with an extended bass range for use in opera. Stage direction is by Jonathon Field, associate professor of opera theater and director of opera theater productions.

Performances of "The Coronation of Poppea" are at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, March 12, 14, and 15, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 16. Tickets are $5 for all students; $8 for Oberlin College faculty, staff, alumni, parents, area educators, and seniors; and $12 for the general public. All seats are reserved. Tickets are $3 more when purchased at the door.

Call Oberlin's Central Ticket Service, located in the lobby of Hall Auditorium, at 440-775-8169 or 800-371-0178. Box office hours are from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and select Saturdays. Hall Auditorium is wheelchair accessible, and hearing enhancement is available upon request. Free parking is available throughout the campus.