In March 2009, Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania) presented Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda in Francesco Esposito’s staging (sets by Italo Grassi), conducted by Antonino Fogliani, for 7 performances (15–25 March). Piero Terranova sang Lord Guglielmo Cecil; headliners included Mariella Devia (Maria Stuarda) and Laura Polverelli (Elisabetta), with alternate casts on 17, 21 and 24 March.
Opera • Gaetano Donizetti
Teatro Massimo Bellini, Catania (IT) • 15–25 March 2009 • 7 performances
About the Opera.
Premiered in 1835, Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda dramatizes the clash between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I.
Giuseppe Bardari’s libretto shapes the Tudor rivalry into a sequence of confrontations culminating in Mary’s execution,
balancing bel canto elegance with searing dramatic ensembles.
Performance Summary.
Teatro Massimo Bellini presented a revival of the Opéra de Liège production, conducted by Antonino Fogliani
and staged (and costumed) by Francesco Esposito, with sets by Italo Grassi and lighting by
Bruno Ciulli. Baritone Piero Terranova appeared as Lord Guglielmo Cecil, with
Mariella Devia as Maria Stuarda and Laura Polverelli as Elisabetta.
Production Details
| Date(s) |
15–25 March 2009 |
| Performances |
7 |
| Venue |
Teatro Massimo Bellini, Catania, Italy |
| Work |
Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart) |
| Composer |
Gaetano Donizetti |
| Librettist |
Giuseppe Bardari |
| Conductor |
Antonino Fogliani |
| Stage Director |
Francesco Esposito |
| Set Designer |
Italo Grassi |
| Costume Designer |
Francesco Esposito |
| Lighting Designer |
Bruno Ciulli |
| Chorusmaster |
Tiziana Carlini |
| Orchestra / Chorus |
Orchestra & Chorus of Teatro Massimo Bellini |
| Piero Terranova |
Lord Guglielmo Cecil |
Cast
- Maria Stuarda — Mariella Devia / Maria Costanza Nocentini (17, 21, 24 Mar)
- Elisabetta — Laura Polverelli / Maria Pia Piscitelli (17, 21, 24 Mar)
- Roberto, Earl of Leicester — Celso Albelo / Alexandru Badea (17, 21, 24 Mar)
- Giorgio Talbot — Carlo Cigni / Enrico Turco (17, 21, 24 Mar)
- Anna Kennedy — Alessandra Palomba
- Lord Guglielmo Cecil — Piero Terranova / Giuseppe Altomare (17, 21, 24 Mar)
Performance Dates
- Sun 15 Mar 2009 (20:30) – Turno A
- Tue 17 Mar 2009 (17:30) – Turno R
- Wed 18 Mar 2009 (20:30) – Turno B
- Sat 21 Mar 2009 (17:30) – Turno S1
- Sun 22 Mar 2009 (17:30) – Turno D
- Tue 24 Mar 2009 (17:30) – Turno S2
- Wed 25 Mar 2009 (17:30) – Turno C
Notes
- Official archive lists 7 performances with date changes; earlier calendars sometimes showed an additional 19 March date.
- Production originated with Opéra de Liège (allestimento Opéra de Liège).
