HGO perform Handel's Agrippina at Jacksons Lane Highgate

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Connoisseurs of recent Westminster politics will recognise much in this superb production of Handel’s opera about a planned coronation that goes wrong.

Directed by the inspirational Ashley Pearson, and starring the finest young opera talent, Agrippina is a Baroque House of Cards: full of intrigue, plotting, betrayal, spin, and emotional manipulation – but with the bonus of Handel’s fabulous music.

It's delivered with passion and nuance by HGOantiqua Orchestra, driven by the harpsichord of Marija Stručkova and bass of Kaman Chan.

The cast of Agrippina (Image: Laurent Compagnon)

News has reached Rome that the emperor Claudio (Jacob Bettinelli in magnificent voice) has perished at sea. His wife Agrippina (played with ice-cold calculation by the brilliant Anna-Luise Wagner) spots an opportunity for her son Nerone (Phoebe Rayner’s beautiful soprano) to grab the crown.

Using all assets available to her, she starts a pro-Nerone social media campaign spearheaded by the dull but willing opinion formers Narcisco and Pallante (Dominic Mattos and Laurence Williams, both great fun). Things go well until Lesbo announces that Claudio lives – saved from a watery grave by the valiant Ottone (the remarkable Eliran Kadussi whose lament for Poppea will linger in the memory).

He foolishly tells Agrippina of his love for Poppea (the understated but inspired Lisa Daffyd) who senses an opportunity for manipulation. However, Poppea fights back and the audience (in Thoughts, you torment me) witnesses Agrippina's brutal mental disintegration.Agrippina is at Jacksons Lane until May 21. (Image: Laurent Compagnon)

The music is superb and studded with highlights including Let the sound of drums and trumpets echo all round which recalled a certain recent rendition of Zadok the Priest.

Set design by Sorcha Corcoran uses inventive IT and social media to drive the narrative of this feminist parable which in HGO's hands is psychologically complex, satirical and beautifully delivered.

HGO is a registered charity which grew out of Hampstead Garden Opera and has the aim of advancing talented young singers. As such the cast changes over the run, which is at Jacksons Lane in Highgate until May 21.