“Agrippina” by Jean-Claude Malgoire

I watched Handel’s light comical opera “Agrippina” conducted by Jean-Claude Malgoire.

It took me for a while to figure out that the story is about Roman emperor, Nero and his mother because I didn’t know anything about their personal gossips. So I understood all the jokes finally when I watched it at the second time after I read his biography.

They had outrageously colorful Rococo costumes and wigs. The stage setting was very minimalistic and goofy. And all the singers played unbelievably shallow characters with such goofiness.

And, the music was gorgeous. This is the one of early Handel’s operas. Though it doesn’t have the full maturity of his later works like “Faramondo” but still exceptionally beautifully written.

All the singers sang wonderfully, beautifully and comically.

Especially soprano Veronique Gens played very cunning but irresistibly charming title role who ambitiously plots to make her son emperor. Her voice was so beautiful. Countertenor, Philippe Jaroussky also sung wonderfully playing a teenage Nero who is not-so-smart mommy’s boy with greedy ambitions. Also soprano, Ingrid Perruche sung with bright and beautiful soprano voice! Nigel Smith, Thierry Gregoire, Bernard Deletre and Fabrice Di Farco were all wonderful.

These are my favorite arias in this opera.

Come nube che fugge dal vento (Philippe Jaroussky)

Se vuoi pace (Veronique Gens)

Pensieri (Veronique Gens)

Bel piacere e godere fido amor (Ingrid Perruche)

Con saggio tuo consiglio (Philippe Jaroussky)

Qual piacer (Philippe Jaroussky)

E’ un foco quell d’amore (Ingrid Perruche)

Io di Roma il Giove sono (Nigel Smith)

Tacero purche fedele (Thierry Gregoire)