Dates

6-28 May 2023

Location

Dutch National Opera, Main Stage

Running time

2:35, incl. 1 interval

Tickets

n.a.

Maria Stuarda

Season 23/24: the final part of the trilogy: Roberto Devereux!

After Anna Bolena and Maria Stuarda, the third and final part of the Tudor trilogy will be staged at Dutch National Opera & Ballet from 18 April to 6 May 2024: Roberto Devereux



Info & tickets

Maria Stuarda: two queens, one throne

A scorching face-off that is both personal and political, and ultimately proves to be fatal. This opera pits Elizabeth I, Queen of England, and Mary Stuart, the exiled Queen of Scots, against each other in a fierce struggle that is as much about power as it is about love and moral righteousness. Bel canto composer Donizetti created a ravishing score for this opera that is both melodic and deeply moving, delivering plenty of emotional intensity as the lethal conflict between the two historical queens unfolds.  

Photo: Marta Syrko

Two queens, one throne

Although, historically speaking, Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart never actually met, a potential encounter between the two has formed the stuff of fantasy for writers, painters and composers over the centuries. Donizetti too drew inspiration from this concoction, creating a spine-tingling showdown that sizzles with vocal fireworks as the two queens hurl insults at each other, culminating in Stuarda’s “Vil bastarda”! (“Vile bastard!”). Elizabeth’s emotions get the better of her and she becomes ruthless in her pursuit for vengeance. 

 

Trilogy 

Maria Stuarda (1835) is the second instalment of Donizetti’s Tudor trilogy that is being presented over a period of three seasons, with Dutch director Jetske Mijnssen delving deep into the psyches of these complex characters. A common thread in her staging of the trilogy is Elizabeth’s life and the trauma she has suffered. The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra will bring Donizetti’s score to life from the pit, under the baton of Enrique Mazzola – a world-class specialist of the bel canto repertoire. Young, up-and-coming Russian mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina will sing the role of Elizabeth. 

Performance information

Opera in two acts

Sung in Italian



Libretto  Giuseppe Bardari



Musical  direction  Enrique Mazzola

Stage direction  Jetske Mijnssen

Set design  Ben Baur

Costume design  Klaus Bruns

Dramaturgy  Luc Joosten

Choreography  Lillian Stillwell

Lighting design  Cor van den Brink



Elisabetta  Aigul Akhmetshina

Maria Stuarda  Kristina Mkhitaryan

Anna Kennedy  Sílvia Sequeira*

Leicester  Ismael Jordi

Giorgio Talbot  Aleksei Kulagin

Lord Guglielmo Cecil  Simon Mechlinski

* Dutch National Opera Studio

Dancers

Demi Wals, Alina Fejzo, Lili Kok, Evaldo Melo, Isabelle Nelson, Renzo Popolizio, Laia Vancells Pi, Luigi Vilotta

Child extras

Billy Maan, Yara Swaab

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

Chorus of Dutch National Opera

Chorus master  Edward Ananian-Cooper



Coproduction with Teatro San Carlo (Napels) and Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (Valencia)

Online programme

Along with the printed programme book, we also offer online programme information for this performance. The online programme will take you behind the scenes with in-depth stories, articles, and interviews with the creators and cast.

Maria Stuarda - trailer

Maria Stuarda - trailer

The second belcanto masterpiece in Donizetti's Tudor trilogy

In the media
Rave reviews

The power of Mijnssen’s stage direction is that she dismantles the good-and-fault concept and introduces flesh-and-blood people who inescapably strangle each other.

7 May

[Maria’s] infamous curse [from Elisabetta] was textbook material. So the two whipped themselves up magnificently in this iconic opera scene, aided greatly by the highly accurate conductor Enrique Mazzola and the gloriously performing Netherlands Chamber Orchestra in the pit.

7 May

A vibrant top performance

7 May

The stage direction carefully plots the path to their ultimate confrontation.

7 May
Scene from Maria Stuarda; girl with doll in foreground, ensemble dressed in white in background
Scene from Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Scene from Maria Stuarda; Elisabetta in background, Maria Stuarda and dancers surround Leicester
Aigul Akhmetshina (Elisabetta), Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda), Ismael Jordi (Leicester) & dancers | Photo: Ben van Duin
Scene from Maria Stuarda; Leicester embraces Elisabetta
Ismael Jordi (Leicester) & Aigul Akhmetshina (Elisabetta) | Photo: Ben van Duin
Scene from Maria Stuarda; Maria Stuarda pointing to a seated Leicester
Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda) & Ismael Jordi (Leicester) | Photo: Ben van Duin
Scene from Maria Stuarda; Elisabetta in background, Maria Stuarda on floor embraced by Leicester
Aigul Akhmetshina (Elisabetta), Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda) & Ismael Jordi (Leicester) | Photo: Ben van Duin
Scene from Maria Stuarda; chorus members in black robes
Scene from Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Scene from Maria Stuarda; girl in foreground with ensemble and dancers
Scene from Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Scene from Maria Stuarda; ensemble on stage
Scene from Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda), Aigul Akhmetshina (Elisabetta) | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda, prior to her going to the scaffold
Aigul Akhmetshina (Elisabetta), Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda) | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda, prior to her going to the scaffold
Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda) | Photo: Ben van Duin

Five reasons to look forward to Maria Stuarda

Behind the scenes Maria Stuarda

Behind the scenes Maria Stuarda
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Maria Stuarda
Rehearsal Maria Stuarda | Photo: Ben van Duin
Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

Dutch National Opera has a long-standing and proud history with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra | the Nether­lands Chamber Orchestra, which has been its main orchestra partner for the past 30 years. It is widely considered to be one of the best opera orchestras in the world.

© Anna van Kooij

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

In addition to its opera tasks, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra is a regular performer in The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The orchestra works with internationally renowned guest conductors and soloists, as well as representatives of a new generation of top musicians. The orchestra makes classical music accessible to everyone who is open to it: not only on the big stages, but also in community centres, schools and hospitals. In this way, the orchestra provides the finest and best music experience for both classical connoisseurs and new listeners.

With its hospitable home auditorium, the NedPhO Dome in Amsterdam's 'Indische buurt', the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra is right at the heart of society. Every year, the Orchestra organizes around two hundred activities for music education, neighbourhood participation and talent development.

Maria Stuarda - podcast

The recordings of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra that can be heard in the podcast below were made during the last run-through before the dress rehearsal of Maria Stuarda.

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