Agrippina - Handel

George Frideric Handel's 'Agrippina' is a comic opera set in ancient Rome, chronicling the Machiavellian schemes of Empress Agrippina the Younger. She manipulates political figures, including her husband Emperor Claudius, to secure power for her son Nero. The opera is filled with witty wordplay, dramatic irony, and a series of mistaken identities and complex romantic entanglements among the characters.

The 2018 Metropolitan Opera production of 'Agrippina,' directed by David McVicar and starring Joyce DiDonato, was widely acclaimed. Critics praised the superb vocal performances, particularly DiDonato's energetic and nuanced portrayal of Agrippina. The production's witty staging and McVicar's sharp direction were also highlighted, breathing new life into the Baroque masterpiece.

• Exceptional vocal performances, especially from Joyce DiDonato.

• Witty and dynamic direction that makes the Baroque opera accessible.

• A visually engaging and musically rich production.

Google audience: Audience reception for the Met production was highly positive, with viewers frequently lauding the outstanding singing and the clever, often humorous, staging that made the intricate plot easy to follow and highly entertaining.

None notable (as it is a specific production of an older work, rather than a new release)

Handel composed 'Agrippina' when he was only 24 years old, in 1709, and it was his first opera written for Venice. The opera was an immediate success, with 77 performances in its initial run.