Gaetano Donizetti wrote Maria Stuarda at the peak of his career as a composer. And although he yielded to the charms of the new romantic literature in the themes of many of his works, he was keen on returning to English history as a compelling source of spectacular themes for the stage. He was intrigued by the fate of the Scottish Queen Mary in Friedrich von Schiller's adaptation, but unlike the original, Donizetti avoided political and religious issues. However, he kept the legendary fictional scene of Mary Stuart's meeting with Elizabeth I. Powerful dramatic conflict, a rich psychological profile of the characters, beautiful music, and a great story with two rival queens make this evocative production by French director Gilbert Blin a narrative historical opera theatre.

 

 

Running time: 2 hrs 30 mins with one interval