London is infected. The dead fall in the streets. As the plague pits fill, the people of London struggle to maintain a society in the face of overwhelming mortality. Based on eye-witness accounts from 1665 and drawing poetic parallels with modern epidemics, Ten Plagues relates one man’s journey through a city in crisis.

Toldentirely through a series of songs, Ten Plaguesexplores humanity’s struggle with sickness and death and celebrates our capacity for survival.

This volume also contains The Coronation of Poppea, a new version of Monteverdi’s opera depicting the triumphant adultery between Poppea and Roman Emperor Nero. Tacklingthis tale of epiclives, RavenhillupdatesTacitus’ scathing portrayal of decadence and imperial degeneracy with language which is contemporary, spare and brutally powerful.

Mark Ravenhill’s introduction to the two pieces explains the genesis of his writing, the history behind the operas, their themes and their poetry.  less