This article has been modified from its original verison. In the original text, the writer had mistakenly put "Lucretzia Borgia" as the third installment of the Tudor Queens Trilogy by Gaetano Donizetti. The correct opera in the trilogy is "Roberto Deveareux." The former deals with the Borgia family, not the Tudors.
On New Year's Eve, the Metropolitan Opera opens its fourth new production of the year with Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda." The opera will also be performed for the first time ever at the reputable opera house in a new production by British director David McVicar.
The opera is the middle section in Donizetti's Tudor trilogy. The first pat of the trilogy, "Anna Bolena" had its premiere at the Met in another McVicar production last year and the third part, "Roberto Devereux," will make its house debut in a few years. "Maria Stuarda" focuses on the political struggle between the titular character and Queen Elizabeth; the most famous scene in the opera pits the two woman against each other and has Stuarda utter obscenities at her rival. In fact, the words "vil bastarda" (vile bastard) was unprecedented onstage in the 1800s and created controversy regarding the work.
Despite the role being sung mainly be Sopranos, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato will take on the role of Maria. She had a successful debut in the role and has long been a Metropolitan favorite over the last few years. She made her debut in 2005 and had her breakout year in 2007 when she sang the role of Rosina in Rossini's "Barber of Seville."
Playing her rival will be South African soprano Elza van den Heever in her Met debut. Playing the role of Maria's lover Leicester will be tenor Matthew Polenzani. The American singer recently sang on the 2012-13's opening night in the role of Nemorino in a new production of "L'Elisir d'Amore." Rounding out the cast are Joshua Hopkins as Cecil and Matthew Rose as Talbot. Maurizio Benini will conduct. He was also on the podium on opening night for "Elisir."
The opera will run for eight performances on Dec.31, Jan. 4,8, 12, 15, 19, 23, and 26 with an HD Live Transmission to thousands of movie theaters around the world on Jan. 19.
For More Information, go to the Metropolitan Opera's official website HERE.