A tale of deceit, treachery, and political ambition, which successfully uses unearned praise and hidden lust as a means to defeat rivals and gain public esteem. Oh, it’s been going on for a long time. John Eliot Gardiner conducts the English Baroque Soloists with Della Jones as Agrippina, Alastair Miles as Claudius, Derek Lee Ragion as Nero, Donna Brown as Poppea, and Michael Chance as Ottone. The music is first-class. KSQD’s Monday Night at the Opera, 7 to 10 p.m., Monday, August 25, 2025 on 89.7 – Monterey Carmel Salinas Watsonville; 90.7 Santa Cruz; 89.5 Salinas Valley.