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Prologue

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Fortune and Virtue are quarrelling about their ascendancy over humankind.ÌýCupid challenges them, proclaiming his superiority.

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Act I

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From the presence of Nero’s soldiers guarding the residence of his belovedÌýPoppea, Ottone realizes that the emperor has spent a night of love with her.ÌýShortly afterwards, in fact, Nero is seen taking his leave of Poppea. MeanwhileÌýPoppea, spurred by unbridled ambition, pays no heed to the prudentÌýwords of ArnaIta. Abandoned by Nero, the empress Ottavia bemoans herÌýfate.

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The advice of her nurse, who incites her to get herself a lover, falls onÌýdeaf ears, as does that of Nero’s tutor, the philosopher Seneca, to whom theÌýgoddess Pallas Athene announces his imminent death. Nero tells Seneca ofÌýhis intention to repudiate Ottavia in order to marry Poppea. The tutor resolutelyÌýopposes this decision but Nero is annoyed by bis remonstrances andÌýdismisses him brusquely. By now mistress of the emperor’s soul, Poppea persuadesÌýbim to order Seneca’s death. Ottone reproaches Poppea for her betrayal,Ìýbut she fIrmly rejects him. To forget his faithless beloved, whom heÌýcannot bring himself to kill, Ottone promises his heart to Drusilla.Ìý

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Act II

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Sent by Pallas Athene, the god Mercury announces to Seneca that he is to die.ÌýSoon afterwards the captain of the guards brings Nero’s order to Seneca that he isÌýto commit suicide before dusk. After bidding farewell to his pupiIs, Seneca kiIlsÌýhimself. When Nero receives news of the tutor’s death, he sings praise with LucanoÌýto the beauty of Poppea. Having decided to avenge the affront, Ottavia ordersÌýOttone to slay her rival. In order to act undisturbed and unrecognized, heÌýmust wear a woman’s clothes.

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Ottone goes to Drusilla and, after revealing theÌýmurder project to her, puts on her clothes and goes to the garden where PoppeaÌýis sleeping. But the pIan of murder is thwarted by the sudden intervention of Cupid.ÌýArnalta raises the alarm, while Ottone fIees.

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ÌýAct III

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Led by Arnalta, the emperor’s soldiers arrest DrusiIla, who is accused, on the evidenceÌýof her clothes, of having attempted to murder Poppea. Brought beforeÌýNero, Drusilla, to save the life of her beloved, pleads guilty. But Ottone steps forward,Ìýconfessing that he personally acted on orders from the empress. After repudiatingÌýhis wife, Nero condemns Ottone and Drusilla to exile. While Arnalta rejoicesÌýat her mistress’ victory, Ottavia disconsolately leaves Rome. In the presenceÌýof consuls and tribunes, Nero crowns Poppea empress.

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