Anna Bolena
at The Rose Nagelberg Theater
Ashraf Sewailam, Stage Director
David Štech, Conductor and Music Director
Anna Bolena (premiered in Milan in 1830) as the second of Donizetti’s four “Tudor” operas, preceded by Il castello di Kenilworth (1829), and later including Maria Stuarda (1834/35) and Roberto Devereux (1837). The fictionalized account of the last days of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, and mother of Elizabeth I has a masterful libretto by Felice Romani. The original cast, including two of the finest singers of the day, Giuditta Pasta and Giovanni Battista Rubini, combined with Donizetti’s formal innovations, made the piece a breakout composition in his output. dell’Arte Opera Ensemble last presented Anna Bolena in 2010 at Theatre 80 St. Marks. The cast of that production have distinguished themselves well, with Met debuts by Matthew Anchel and Blythe Gaissert; Cherry Duke serving as a respected and vibrant teacher at University of Texas, El Paso; Kirk Dougherty navigating a strong regional solo career with appearances at Sarasota Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, Utah Festival Opera, etc.; and Jill Dewsnup, who in addition to her solo appearances has served in the choruses of the Metropolitan Opera and the Chicago Lyric Opera.
Cast
Cast A | Cast B | |
---|---|---|
Enrico VIII | Connor Lidell | |
Anna Bolena | Christine Lyons | Monica Niemi |
Giovanna Seymour | Christina Esser | Jessica Mirshak |
Lord Rochefort | Ian Joyal | Rick Agster |
Lord Riccardo Percy | Frederick Schlick | Stephen Steffens |
Smeton | SarahAnn Duffy | Andrea Howland Myers |
Sir Hervey | Tyler Dobies | Stefan Barner |
Creative Team
Flavia Darcie — 2nd Lady in Waiting
Perri di Christina —
Rick Agster — Ensemble
Shane Brown — Ensemble
Stefan Barner — Ensemble