On Saturday last weekend, another brave and innovative production from Barefoot Opera, electrified a packed auditorium at St. Mary in the Castle.

Staging L’incoronazione di Poppea (‘The Coronation of Poppea’) for a contemporary audience is no mean feat. Having premiered in Venice in 1643, Monteverdi’s musical drama of the story of Poppea’s seduction of Emperor Nero is one of the earliest operas ever written (to offer some perspective, it predates the birth of Mozart by over a century). Although the subject matter is racy, encompassing themes of tyranny, death, lust and deceit, the music is courtly and restrained. It is more reflective of the manners of Baroque Italy than the in-your-face, galloping operas of the later eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; and staging it to a contemporary audience in the spacious auditorium of St. Mary in the Castle, would have no doubt presented itself as a challenge.

A challenge nonetheless overcome, and with gusto. The singing was vibrant, improving throughout the performance as the singers found their stride, making one wish the production would continue for more and just one night. Many would agree that the high points were the death of Seneca (Tobias Odenwald), the statesman and philosopher whom Nero forces to commit suicide, and the closing love duet, both sexy and tender, sung exquisitely by Lucilla Graham (Nero) and Sarah Parkin (Poppea). Michal Aloni as Ottavia, Nero’s spurned consort, and Hannah Jones playing the supporting role of Drusilla were also among those who stood out.

The acting was bold and gestural. Especially entertaining was Judith Charron’s Amor, whose role as the driving force of the opera (above Fortune and Virtue, over whom he declares his superiority in the opening scene, love being the thing that ultimately ‘conquers all’) was played with mischievous aplomb.

In addition to the fine singing, the production was engaging for its combination of physical theatre, an elaborate set and striking costumes. A walkway connected the back of the stalls with the stage so the singers could perform amidst the audience and enter the scene from multiple angles, making the event an immersive experience for audience members sitting in the stalls. Fluorescent white costumes were worn by all except Poppea, whose dress was lusty red, and Amor, a cupid in black (with white wings), making him invisible, presumably so he could artfully intervene in the relations between the opera’s characters.

Purists might say that Barefoot Opera’s version of L’incoronazione was more flamboyant than the original, and perhaps some of the subtlety of the music was lost; however, judging by the applause it received, there is no doubting that the show was an immense success and that we are lucky to have Barefoot Opera bring Monteverdi to Hastings.

For more information see http://www.barefootopera.com

Barefoot Opera – Hastings and St Leonards’ very own opera company – for one night only, at St Mary in the Castle, will present what promises to be another unique and scintillating spectacle. Considered by many to be Monteverdi’s operatic masterpiece, L’incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea) is a morally ambivalent tale of lust, deceit and power set in Ancient Rome. One of the earliest operas to take a real, historical event for its subject, it describes how Poppea, a beautiful and conniving noblewoman and the erotic obsession of Emperor Nero, used charm and intrigue to manipulate her way to the imperial throne. Nero is already married to Claudia Ottavia when he falls in love with Poppea with whom he has an adulterous liaison, putting relations between him and his family and court in murderous jeopardy.

Known for their innovative and youthful productions, Barefoot Opera have chosen to stage L’incoronazione in honour of the 450th-anniversary of Monteverdi’s birth. And, given that it premiered in Venice, in 1643, and is thus one of the earliest operas to be composed, its staging is an important opportunity to witness opera in its earliest development as a dramatic musical form.

The intimate ensemble of musicians will include Lesley-Anne Sammons on keyboards, Lucy Mulgan on double bass and Evelyn Nallen on recorder, and among the singers, Lucilla Graham will play Nero – some of you may remember Graham starring in Barefoot Opera’s 2014 Carmen. Adding interest to the evening will no doubt be the setting. The Regency auditorium of St Mary in the Castle is designed in the form of an amphitheatre and therefore is appropriately reminiscent of the ancient Roman context of the opera’s narrative.

Jenny Miller, the director of Barefoot Opera, has collaborated with Peter Fillingham (who designed Derek Jarman’s Garden Installation for the Design Museum) and costume designers Cressida Lewis and Vicky Turner in producing what will certainly be a feast for the eyes, as well as the ears.

L’incoronazione di Poppea, St Mary in the Castle, Hastings, Saturday 11 November, 7:30pm, tickets: Standard £16.50 in advance (£18.50 on the door), £3.50 under 12s, available from the Barefoot Opera website (and Hastings Tourist Office): www.barefootopera.com