Cynthia Greenwood

A glimpse into the heart and soul of Carmen, Bizet's classic heroine, and Poppea, the title role in Monteverdi's famous baroque opera.

Bizet's Carmen, set in 19th-century Seville, is a far stylistic cry from The Coronation of Poppea, Monteverdi's baroque classic about immoral ancient Romans. Bizet's lively musical concoction about a sexually liberated factory worker blends cabaret melody and flamenco dance with spoken dialogue and a vivacious chorus. By contrast, The Coronation of Poppea is a precursor to today's form of grand opera, and premiered before the Venetian public in 1643. Monteverdi's work satirizes the corrupt community surrounding Roman emperor Nero and exposes the doings behind his illicit affair with Poppea. Ironically, the couple's indecent intimacy makes for some of opera's most exquisite love duets. Poppea's score is rich in arias, ensembles, and distinctive baroque string accompaniment, but like Carmen, it was conceived to provoke and entertain.

Both Carmen and Poppea appear to be femmes fatales whose morally questionable actions cause suffering and destruction. To be sure, both are powerful, willful, and inconstant. But the secret of their feminine power and influence is easily apprehended through their musical portraits.

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