Roberto Devereux

Composer: Donizetti, Gaetano

Librettist/Text Author: Cammarano, Salvatore

Libretto Source: Ancelot, Jacques-Francois

Conductor: Rota, Marcello

Orchestra: Bergamo Musica Festival Orchestra

Chorus: Bergamo Musica Festival Chorus

Chorus Master: Casati, Corrado

Elizabeth: Theodossiou, Dimitra

Lord Cecil: Albani, Luigi

Robert Devereux: Pisapia, Massimiliano

Sara: Bragaglia, Federica

Sir Walter Raleigh: Valerio, Giorgio

The Duke of Nottingham: Schroeder, Andrew

Set Designer: Walker, David

Costume Designer: Walker, David

Stage Director: Bellotto, Francesco

Television Director: Ricchetti, Matteo

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Date of Production: 09-2006

Festival: Bergamo Music Festival

Venue: Teatro Donizetti, Bergamo

Playing Time: 02:14:00

Catalogue Number: 2.110232

UPC: 0747313523252

Synopsis

Roberto Devereux (NTSC)

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One of Donizetti's most emotionally raw operas, Roberto Devereux ossia Il conte di Essex was also the third to be loosely based on episodes in the life of Queen Elizabeth I. It deals with the love of Elizabeth and her favourite, the Earl of Essex, perhaps most tellingly expressed in the Act I duet, Nascondi, frena i palpiti, o misero mio core (Hide, hold back your palpitation, oh my wretched heart!). Elizabeth's subsequent abdication is, however, a matter of dramatic licence, yet provides a memorable operatic conclusion to this tragedy of love and jealousy as she despairs at the death of her lover ?EUR" Quel sangue versato al ciel s'innalza (The blood that is spilt rises up to Heaven). Directed by Francesco Bellotto, this was the inaugural production of the Bergamo Music Festival 2006, featuring the Greek soprano and leading Donizetti specialist, Dimitra Theodossiou, and the young American baritone Andrew Schroeder, both in superb voice.