the period instrument ensemble, Harmonious Blacksmith. Sensitively conducted by Joseph Gascho – fluid tempos, nuanced phrasing – the musicians, arranged on opposite sides of the floor, maintained remarkable smoothness and warmth, providing a firm foundation for Monteverdi’s ever-elegant, ever-telling vocal lines.

As in most baroque operas, Poppea poses the castrato question -- deciding what kind of voices to assign to the roles in the opera originally sung by castrati (they’re hard to find these days). Director John Bowen engaged a male soprano as Nero. The appearance of male sopranos in baroque operas, as opposed to countertenors, seems to be a relatively recent phenomenon. I’ve heard one or two convincing cases, voices that achieved more tonal body than the typical use of falsetto. David Korn, as Nero, was most persuasive mid-range, when the sound was firm and vibrant. He tended to turn strident and effortful at the top, but he maintained a stylish delivery throughout. Although there were times when more confident acting would have been helpful, Korn’s boyish looks played up the spoiled, immature side of Nero.

(In a surprising, provocative touch, Bowen's direction revealed the cruel side of the emperor, too, the side that would help make him infamous. This Nero coldly slays his pal Lucano, moments after sharing a kiss in one of the opera’s most sensual scenes. I’ve seen other directors play up the homoerotic idea here – the libretto makes it almost irresistible – but the sadistic violence was something new. I must admit I rather liked it.)

Ah Hong had quite a triumph as the subtly conniving Poppea. The soprano’s tonal gleam filled the hall beautifully, and her phrasing was always richly detailed. Her acting, too, proved appealing. As Ottone (the other former castrato role), Monica Reinagel used her burnished contralto to consistently eloquent effect. Katherine Drago, as Nero’s out-of-favor wife Ottavia, and Lisa Dodson, as the Ottone-smitten Drusilla, did effective work. As Seneca, Jed Springfield sounded a bit worn around the edges and not always on pitch, but he shaped phrases with a gravity that caught the nobility of Seneca.

Karim Sulayman camped it up mightily as the nurse Arnalta (drag roles were a niche thing in baroque opera); his singing didn’t always measure up, but he sure delivered the comic relief. Ryan de Ryke sang with his usual expressive depth as Mercury, but why did Bowen have him strike silly FTD Florist poses during the serious death-announcement scene? In the other supporting roles, things ranged from the passable to the inexcusably amateurish, the latter prevalent enough to bring the whole production down several notches.

Thom Bumblauskas designed a simple set that enabled the action to move along neatly. The costumes, designer by Jennifer Tardiff, could have used a bit more style, at least for Nero and the other upper-crusties.

Remaining performances are Thursday and Saturday.

BALTIMORE SUN STAFF PHOTOS (Kenneth K. Lam)