Opera MARIA STUARDA @ Wahnfried

Movie at Wahnfried, McGregor

On Sunday 27th at 4pm we have Donizetti’s opera MARIA STUARDA (2h20mins).

The Metropolitan Opera give a live performance of Donizetti's work about Mary, Queen of Scots' final days in the lead up to her execution. Maurizio Benini conducts the Metropolitan Orchestra with Joyce DiDonato portraying the title role and South African singer Elza van den Heever as Queen Elizabeth I.

‘’This is truly outstanding in every way; a fabulous opera which should be a staple part of every opera company's repertoire. The direction, by David McVicar is excellent with reasonably traditional costumes and interesting but unfussy backdrops.
The two leads are wonderful. Joyce DiDonato covers a marvellous range of emotions from proud and defiant against Elisabeth in Act 1 to confessional, stressed but accepting 10 years later as she approaches the scaffold at the end. The rest of the cast are also excellent but the last scene of DiDonato is completely moving and memorable.
A must buy for opera lovers.’’

‘’ I first saw this opera in late 1970 at the ENO in London with Janet Baker in the title role. She was magnificent in her acting and of course vocal interpretation of Mary Stuart. That left a landmark in my memory. And here nearly 50 years later Joyce Didonato in this Met performance stuns me just as much; its a performance and recording of the century. Didonato's soto voce bel canto singing is the most glorious and magical that I can recall. And the opera is a run of aria upon aria for each of the principal roles. No less credit to Elza van de Heever as Elizabeth for dramatic commitment, vocal athletics and beauty of voice. I liked Leicester too. The Met production was better than many of its stand and deliver productions to the extent that I was gripped by the drama throughout. Recording quality too just superb. Such an evening. Unmissable take my word.’’ Amazon.co.uk reviewers