New production of 'Agrippina' at the Royal Opera House

Joyce DiDonato begins her 2019/20 season at the Royal Opera House starring in the title role of Handel’s Agrippina. Marking her first staged performance as the ultimate political operator, Agrippina, Joyce DiDonato made her debut in the role earlier this year on a European tour with Il Pomo d’Oro and conductor Maxim Emelyanychev. Joyce’s powerhouse performance garnered acclaim from audiences and critics:

“There probably isn’t a more technically accomplished mezzo than DiDonato currently on the planet. The voice is so completely solid: she can move between near-whispered pianissimo to Met-Opera-House-filling thunder at any point in her range or while shifting rapidly through it, at slow-breathed legato or quick fire coloratura, never losing the flow of a phrase. It’s impressive to listen to, but more impressive still is seeing the freedom that such technical confidence gives her to enjoy the theatricality of the role and react to her fellow singers.” (Bachtrack)

She returns to the Royal Opera House for performances on September 23, 26, 30, & October 4, 7, 11, in a new production by Barrie Kosky, featuring set designs by Rebecca Ringst and costume designs by Klaus Bruns. Joyce shares the stage with a fantastic roster of artists including Franco Fagioli as Nerone, Lucy Crowe as Poppea, Iestyn Davies as Ottone, Gianluca Buratto as Claudio, and Andrea Mastroni as Pallante. The production features the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducted by Maxim Emelyanychev, making his Royal Opera debut. On September 9, Ms. DiDonato will coach the next generation of singers from The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in a sold-out masterclass in Clore Studio. She also reprises the title role later this season at the Metropolitan Opera in a production by Sir David McVicar, marking the Met’s first-ever production of Agrippina. To learn more about the production, click here.