What the Plebs are Wearing

February 11, 2009 - Well everyone liked the imperial raiment so much that I thought I'd show you what some of the "lower classes" are wearing in our upcoming production of The Coronation of Poppea.

First up, Ottone, the good man that Poppea dallied with before she "traded up" to Nero.

And then there's Drusilla, one of Octavia's ladies in waiting, who loves Ottone and ends up getting herself in trouble because of that love. Ladies beware of lending your boyfriend your clothes - I'm just saying. . .

Then there's the horny little servant couple (there's always one of those in the best operas, right?) Valletto and Damigella (spoiler alert - Valletto is actually that randy little god Love).

And finally there's two comic servant parts Arnalta and Nutrice (both female characters played by tenors - a favorite gender-blending trick of 17th century composers and playwrights).