Maria, regina d'Inghilterra
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Maria, regina d'Inghilterra (Mary Tudor, Queen of England) is an Italian opera in three acts, music by Giovanni Pacini, libretto by Leopoldo Tarantini, based on a play Marie Tudor by Victor Hugo, first performed at the Teatro Carolino, in Palermo, on February 11, 1843.
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[edit] Performance history
The opera was greeted with considerable acclaim at its creation. After a decade or so, it losts its popularity and disappeared from the stage until its revival by Opera Rara at the Camden Festival in 1983.
[edit] Main characters and creators
- Maria, Queen of England - soprano - Antonietta Rainieri-Marini
- Riccardo Fenimoore - tenor - Nicola Ivanoff
- Clotide Talbot - soprano - Teresa Merli-Clerici
- Ernesto Malcolm - baritone - Antonio Superchi
- Gualtiero Churchill - bass - Antonio Benciolini
[edit] Synopsis
The action takes place in London, in 1553.
Mary I of England is infatuated by the adventurer Riccardo Fenimoore, whom she has ennobled as Lord Talbot, but he is unfaithful having seduced the foundling Clotide, who has been raised and is now betrothed to the adoring Ernesto Malcolm, a commoner. Gualtiero Churchill, the Lord Chancellor, wants to protect the Queen by bringing Riccardo down, he reveals his duplicity to the Queen and also the fact that he has concealed his knowledge that Clotilde is actually heir to the Talbot name. The Queen condemns him to death but repents and orders Clotilde to see to his release, however Churchill sees to it that Riccardo is executed to the dismay of the Queen.
[edit] Discography
- Maria, regina d'Inghilterra - Nelly Miricioiu, Bruce Ford, Mary Plazas, José Fardilha, Alistair Miles - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Philarmonia Orchestra, David Parry (conductor) - Opera Rara (1996)
[edit] Sources
- Maria, regina d'Inghilterra, Opera Rara booklet, Jeremy Commons.
