Character Profiles; Nerone

Nerone (or Nero) is the current emperor during the play. Although he is a man his character is played be a female singer in what is sometimes referred to as a 'Beeches Role'. This term is used when a female actress appears in male clothing and is accepted by the audience as a male character without any reference to the gender of the actress. This is usually so that the character can have a large vocal range, as males voices are often limited once their voices have broken during adolescence. Sometimes these roles were filled by a 'Castrato' (A castrated male). Nero's Character is generally unlikable, and is portrayed as having slightly psychopathic tendencies. He has a quick temper when talking to Seneca and doesn't think twice about ordering his execution. His character is based on the Roman Emperor Nero who was emperor between 54 amd 68. Poppea was said to have been killed by Nero in a fit of rage after a quarell over Neros spending habits. He supposedly kicked her in the abdomen, causing her death. Although this violence is not completley outwardly obvious in the Nero character , other than his orders for executions, it is shown subtly throughout the play, and especially seen in the performance at Glyndebourne Opera House,that we saw on the Dvd.