CCM Opera presents Handel’s Agrippina, a biting political satire

CCM Opera continues its season with Agrippina, Handel’s early masterpiece. Fueled by political intrigue, historical characters and a dogged pursuit of power, the razor-sharp satire runs in the Cohen Family Studio Theater on Feb. 16-19, 2023. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

In the court of Roman Emperor Claudius, just about everyone is in pursuit of their own interests, no matter the cost. Claudius’s wife Agrippina is the opera’s titular anti-hero. Power-hungry and a master manipulator, she’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants: her son Nero, from a previous marriage, seated on the throne. When news spreads that Claudius has died in a shipwreck, Agrippina gleefully seizes her chance—but she is quickly thwarted by the revelation that her husband is alive. Even worse, he’s named his favorite general Otho as his successor. Never one to give up easily, Agrippina must deftly maneuver through a minefield of egos, desires, and ulterior motives to achieve her goal.

The events of the opera are fictionalized, but the characters are all historical figures. Agrippina the Younger was one of the most influential women in the Roman Empire and played a crucial role in crowning Nero emperor. In life as in art, rampant ambition often has dire consequences: Nero infamously had his mother killed after he rose to power. The opera, however, does not cover that dark page of history. Instead, Handel and the librettist, Vincenzo Grimani, play up both the absurdity and the tension of this archetypical power struggle to wryly satirize the political machinations of their (or any) era. Though it originally premiered in 1709, “the psychology and humor of this piece are incredibly modern and relatable to a contemporary audience,” says director Alison Pogorelc.

To draw the connection between the political maneuverings of the first century AD and the present, Pogorelc updates the action—reimagining the Roman Forum as a contemporary board room. Pogorelc and scenic designer Samantha Tamulonis were drawn to the creative opportunities presented by the intimate, 120-seat Cohen Family Studio Theater. “We wanted to take [that intimacy] even further in our design, so we created a semi-thrust style seating arrangement--placing the audience further into the action--which is unique to our production,” says Pogorelc. Though opera audiences may be accustomed to attending shows in a traditional proscenium theater, Pogorelc sees innovative staging as a mode of better understanding the centuries-old material. “This production will challenge any preconceived ideas about what early opera means,” she continues. “Opera often has a reputation for its formality and traditionalism. But I urge everyone to go into this production with an open mind about how we tell stories through this medium.”

Though deftly balancing dark humor, high stakes, passion and plot twists is no easy task, Pogorelc believes that the heart of the opera shines through its complexity. “At its core, this opera tells a story about human nature and the desire for fulfillment, seen through each character's quest for power, revenge, or love,” she says. “In some moments, their actions are less than moral, but we see these characters as we see ourselves: imperfect.”

Music by George Frideric Handel
Libretto by Cardinal Vincenzo Grimani

Brian McCann, conductor
Alison Pogorelc, director

• 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 
• 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 
• 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 - SOLD OUT
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 

Cohen Family Studio Theater, CCM Village 
University of Cincinnati

Single tickets are $23.50. Student discounts and group rates are also available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-box office.

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.

Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. 

CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15.

Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.

For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.

Featured image at the top: Agrippina promotional artwork by CCM Graphic Designer Mikki Graff.