Metropolitan Opera 2015-16 Preview - Roberto Devereux: Sondra Radvanovsky to Make History As Queen Elizabeth I

On March 24, Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux" will make its Metropolitan Opera premiere starring Sondra Radvanovsky and Elina Garanca.

The Music

"Roberto Devereux" is the final part of the Donizetti's Tudor trilogy and it is known as being the most complete of the three operas. As always Donizetti composes lyrical music that goes beyond that and reveals the dramatic possibilities that were possible in bel canto. The final mad scene by Elizabeth is one such case which intertwines the bel canto flourishes with rich melodies of lament. Another moment of intense drama definitely comes at the end of Act II with Devereux, Nottingham and Elizabeth. The music contains a range of emotions and psychological states. It contains the music of an anxious lover, the betrayed husband and friend and the scorned woman. Each character is given full detail.

The music also contains a number of recognizable melodies including "God Save the Queen" in the overture.

The History

"Roberto Devereux" has never been performed at the Met. However, New York audiences got to witness Beverly Sills and Placido Domingo in the roles of Elizabeth and Roberto at the New York City Opera in 1970.

However, the opera has been particularly popular in Europe where Diva Edita Gruberova has dominated the role for over 20 years. She is known for her definitive interpretation of Elizabeth and for her agile vocalism. Other singers who have also assumed the role to acclaim include Leyla Gencer, Joan Sutherland and Mariella Devia.

The Production

David McVicar will direct the finale Tudor work concluding the trilogy. For this production, McVicar has decided to play the opera in interiors and has described it as a chamber piece. He has decided to use the Jacobean theater model and give it a more theatrical and heightened feel.

The Performers

Sondra Radvanovsky will take on the daunting role of Elizabeth, a role she has described as the most challenging of the three Tudor roles. Prior to her assumption of the role, Radvanovsky will sing "Anna Bolena" and "Maria Stuarda" at the Met. By the end of the season she will have made history and become the first soprano to sing all three Tudor operas in one season at the Met. She will follow in the footsteps of Beverly Sills, who sang all three roles at the New York City Opera in one season. Radvanovsky has long been a fixture at the Met for Verdi and Puccini roles. However, two seasons ago she surprised audiences with her definitive rendition of Bellini's "Norma." Since then, she has been singing bel canto roles all over the world in Barcelona and Canada as well as in the U.S. in Chicago.

Elina Garanca returns to the Met after a year-long absence. The mezzo, originally scheduled to sing "Anna Boelna," was forced to withdraw for personal circumstances. Garanca will sing the role of Sara, making her role debut. Garanca is one of the most admired Mezzos of our time and she has triumphed in multiple operas at the Met including Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Sivgilia," "La Cenrentola," Bizet's "Carmen" and Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito."

Matthew Polenzani will take on the title of Roberto Devereux. The tenor has become admired for his lyrical voice and has triumphed in multiple Donizetti roles including "L'Elisir d'Amore," "Maria Stuarda" and "Don Pasquale."

Mariusz Kwiecien rounds out the cast as Nottingham, a role he will be singing for the first time as well. The baritone has also performed numerous bel canto operas to great acclaim including "L'Elisir d'Amore," "Don Pasquale," "I Puritani" and "Lucia di Lammermoor."

Maurizio Benini will lead the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus in eight performances.