The Academy of Ancient Music will perform Monteverdi’s “L’incoronazione di Poppea” in Venice on Nov. 13 before bringing the production to Barbican Hall in London on Nov. 17.

The Venice performance takes place at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista in the same city where the opera received its world premiere in 1643.

Soprano Anna Dennis sings the title role opposite tenor Ed Lyon as Nerone. Bass-baritone Eric Owens takes on the philosopher Seneca with the remaining cast members including Katie Bray as Ottavia, Christopher Lowrey as Ottone, Stuart Jackson as Arnalta, Maryam Wocial as Drusilla, Rachel Redmond as Amore, and Diana Montague as Nutrice. Laurence Cummings directs from the harpsichord.

“The puzzling-through of Poppea’s psychological jigsaw is a compelling prospect for me — that staggering political and sexual ambition threaded through with vulnerability and volatility. Singing Monteverdi’s music is a bit like sculpting with pitch and time and text — it can feel almost infinitely flexible within the parameters set by the score,” Dennis said, per an official press release.

The performances are part of Academy of Ancient Music’s 2026-27 “Promethean” season.