‘Success, Triumph, Delirium!’ - exclaimed the audience at the 1830 premiere of Anna Bolena in Milan. The opera about the tragic fate of the English queen marked one of the most impressive moments in the career of the bel canto composer Donizetti. With his magnificent, melodious music, he transformed historical facts into a world of intense emotions, deeply moving to this day.
The price of the crown
Anna Bolena is based on the life of Anne Boleyn, mother of Queen Elizabeth I. She was the second wife of King Henry VIII, who had her removed so he could marry his mistress, Jane Seymour. It is an opera about power, passion, honour and vulnerability during turbulent times, with tragic consequences.
First part of the trilogy
Internationally acclaimed Dutch opera director Jetske Mijnssen, winner of the ‘Grand Prix de la Critique’ in 2016, delves deep into the psyche of the opera’s characters. At the musical helm of this project is Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola, Chicago Lyric Opera’s new music director. He is internationally acknowledged as the bel canto specialist and leads the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra in this production.
For this production a wonderful cast of great voices and strong theatrical personalities has been brought together. The fantastic Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka, who is one of the very few soloists in the world who can sing all three of the Donizetti queens, will perform the title role.
