It’s not simply the ravishingly beautiful music that makes the experience of John Eliot Gardiner’s Monteverdi 450 project so involving: the frisson of this episode in the life of the tyrannical Roman emperor Nero, as told by 17th century Venetians, is that L’Incoronazione di Poppea – with its tangled machinations of power and lust – feels so wholly, uncannily, contemporary.
For his celebration of the 450th anniversary of Claudio Monteverdi’s birth, Gardiner has assembled a touring ensemble of remarkable quality, with a standout performance here from Korean-American Kangmin Justin Kim, as Nerone. His countertenor often defies belief with an elegant tone, instrumental agility and nuanced expressive colouring. It’s a sound to die for and Poppea will, though not in this opera. The ecstatic intertwining of Hana Blažíková’s soprano – all refinement and wholly idiomatic musical style – in Nerone and Poppea’s duets produced the most sublime moments, the intimacy of the English Baroque Soloists’ accompaniment judged to perfection. That Blažíková failed to embody Poppea’s manipulative ambition and ego was a drawback, but that is to carp. Bass Gianluca Buratto’s Seneca was excellent, while Marianna Pizzolato’s big mezzo made her a credibly vengeful Ottavia.
Gardiner’s musical characterisation and Elsa Rooke’s semi-staging brought great clarity to the hierarchy of lovers and their relationships, highlighting the servants’ delicious undercurrent of satire. The genius of Monteverdi could not be better honoured.
• At Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 17 August. Box office: 0131-228 1155.
