Agrippina (opera)
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Agrippina is an opera seria in three acts by George Frideric Handel with a libretto by Cardinal Vincenzo Grimani. Composed for the 1709–10 Venice Carnevale season, the opera tells the story of Agrippina, the mother of Nero, as she plots the downfall of the Roman Emperor Claudius and the installation of her son as emperor. Grimani's libretto, considered one of the best that Handel set, is an "anti-heroic satirical comedy", full of topical political allusions. Some analysts believe that it reflects Grimani's political and diplomatic rivalry with Pope Clement XI.
Johann Mattheson of Hamburg, an early influence on Handel's operas
A caricature of Margherita Durastanti, the original Agrippina, from between 1709 and 1712
The original casting for Agrippina, as advertised at the time of the first production
Otho
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Otho was Roman emperor, ruling for three months from 15 January to 16 April 69. He was the second emperor of the Year of the Four Emperors.
Bust labelled as Otho in the National Archaeological Museum, Florence.
Aureus of Otho. Legend: imp m otho caes aug tr p