Performer: Luca Dordolo

Emotions run high in a programme of Monteverdi madrigals given by Cantar Lontano at the Utrecht Early Music Festival.

Pared-down sets and minimal stagework draw eyes and ears forward in concentration. Whilst the text is at times searingly erotic, Nero and Poppea never touch.

In Schwetzingen zeigt das Ensemble La Venexiana Monteverdis L‘incoronazione di Poppea in einer halbszenischen Aufführung äußerlich im modernen Outfit, aber musikalisch in schönster historischer Klanggestalt.