Chiaroscuro extinguished: a self-indulgent Poppea in Copenhagen

Kangmin Justin Kim (Nerone) and Kerstin Avemo (Poppea)

Kangmin Justin Kim (Nerone), Morten Grove Frandsen (Ottone) and Annika Beinnes (Drusilla)

Antti Mähönen (Littore) and Liliana Benini (Edda)

By Mengguang Huang, 26 April 2026

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“a production concept that seems perversely at odds with Monteverdi’s dramatic soul”

Reviewed at The Old Stage, The Royal Theatre, Copenhagen on 26 April 2026

Monteverdi, L'incoronazione di Poppea, SV 308

Royal Danish Opera

Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Conductor

Christoph Marthaler, Director

Anna Viebrock, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Cornelius Hunziker, Lighting Designer

Concerto Copenhagen

Kerstin Avemo, Poppea

Kangmin Justin Kim, Nerone

Anne Sofie von Otter, Ottavia

Kyungil Ko, Seneca

Morten Grove Frandsen, Ottone

Annika Beinnes, Drusilla

Stuart Jackson, Arnalta

Fredrik Bjellsäter, Lucano

Ian Marcus Bjørsvik, Liberto

Antti Mähönen, Littore

Mathilda Sidén Silfver, Valletto

Graham Valentine, Nutrice

Britten’s The Turn of the Screw in Copenhagen

David Karlin, 6th October

Anthony Almeida and Rosanna Vize's deconstructed ghostly country house provides plenty of tension; fine vocal qualities are marred by poor intelligibility.

***11

The other Lulu: a Danish rarity in Copenhagen

Aksel Tollåli, 4th February

Dénise Beck shines as the Princess Sidi in the Royal Danish Opera's production of Friedrich Kuhlau's Lulu, receiving its first performances in 180 years.

***11

Carl Nielsen’s Maskarade: Love in the time of selfies

Aksel Tollåli, 18th April

Kasper Holten's production of Carl Nielsen's delightful comedy Maskarade delights in Copenhagen.

***11

The king is not well: Nielsen’s Saul og David

Aksel Tollåli, 17th April

The Royal Danish Opera's new production of Carl Nielsen's first opera Saul og David updates the action to the present-day Middle east and, while well-sung, comes off as overly simplistic.

**111

Send in the clowns: Stefan Herheim’s Lulu in Copenhagen

Aksel Tollåli, 20th November

Zombie clowns abound in Stefan Herheim's uncomfortably comical and upsetting Copenhagen production of Alban Berg's Lulu.

*****

An occasionally brilliant Don Giovanni at the Royal Danish Opera

Kevin W Ng, 25th May

Malin Hartelius and Palle Knudsen electrify an otherwise competent Don Giovanni in Copenhagen.

***11

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Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.

Chiaroscuro extinguished: a self-indulgent, barren Poppea in Copenhagen