Gaetano Donizetti: MARY STUART
April 21, 7:30 p.m. | April 27, 7:30 p.m. | April 29, 2 p.m. | May 2, 7:30 p.m. | May 4, 7:30 p.m.
Brown Theater | Sung in Italian with English Surtitles
This story of regal cousins, Mary, Queen of Scots and
Elizabeth I—rivals for the crown and the same nobleman’s love—delivers
fascinating historical drama.
Elizabeth has imprisoned Mary, suspecting her of treason, but the
Duke of Leicester, her advisor and Mary’s lover, convinces the queen to
meet her cousin; tempers soon surface and rage out of control. Mary,
condemned to death, faces her demise with great dignity.
Spectacular vocal fireworks and bel canto singing are hallmarks of Donizetti’s tragedy.
“DiDonato’s voice is at present nothing less than 24-carat gold.” -The Times, London
Grand Guarantor
Beth Madison
Guarantor
Janice and Tom Barrow
Joyce DiDonato’s appearance is supported in part through the Lynn Wyatt Great Artist Fund.
Scenery, properties and costumes for this production are owned by The Minnesota Opera, and were constructed by The Minnesota Opera Shops.
Credits for Mary Stuart artwork: Queen Elizabeth I attributed to George Gower, oil on panel, circa 1588 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Mary, Queen of Scots after François Clouet, oil on canvas, (1560) © National Portrait Gallery, London
Act I
Scene one — A gallery in Westminster Palace: Lords and ladies
enter following a tournament given in honor of the French Ambassador.
Queen Elizabeth is considering a marriage proposal from Prince François,
Duke of Anjou, which would forge a political alliance with the King of
France. She does not relish yielding her liberty to a man, nor does she
wish to pardon her political enemy and cousin, Mary Stuart, deposed
Queen of Scotland. Mary has been imprisoned by Elizabeth, accused of
devising treasonous plots. The courtiers plead for her life, but
Elizabeth cannot make up her mind.
Leicester arrives belatedly and Elizabeth reprimands him for his
tardiness. When she instructs her favorite to inform the French envoy
that she will marry François, the queen looks for signs of jealousy in
his eyes, but finds none. She fears she has a rival for his affection.
Alone with Talbot, Leicester learns he has just been to Fotheringhay
Castle, where Mary is being held captive, and asks of any news. Talbot
produces a letter and a miniature from Mary, and Leicester regards it
with devotion as it reminds him of their past love affair. He vows to
free her from captivity or die trying.
Elizabeth has observed their exchange from a distance and spitefully
corners Leicester. She demands to see the letter, which he gives to her
after some hesitation. The earl pleads for Elizabeth to grant Mary an
audience. The queen accuses Leicester of loving Mary, but he claims that
those feelings are in the past and now he only pities her. Deceptively,
Elizabeth agrees to the meeting, only to exact her revenge.
Scene two — Fotheringhay Park: Mary is overjoyed at a brief
release in the open air of the park. Horns announce a royal hunt, and
she is suddenly filled with fear at facing her adversary. Leicester
arrives first and encourages her to be calm and submissive as he
believes Elizabeth will be clement — if not, she will face the earl's
reprisal.
Mary is brought before the queen. Both inwardly express their disdain
for one another. Talbot, Leicester, Cecil, and Anne sense the tension.
Mary kneels before the queen and begs for forgiveness. Cecil urges
Elizabeth not to trust her, and she affirms that in dust and shame is
exactly where Mary belongs. The queen details the list of misdeeds Mary
has committed, and the Queen of Scots can no longer hold her tongue —
Elizabeth, the vile bastard child of Anne Boleyn, has defiled the
English crown. Elizabeth swears vengeance and storms away. Her deadly
fate forever sealed, Mary relishes her final, proud moment.
Act II
Scene one — Elizabeth's apartments in Westminster Palace:
Elizabeth ponders Mary's death warrant, which Cecil urges her to sign.
The queen hesitates, fearing public opinion and Mary's ghost. But when
she sees Leicester enter, she jealously signs the document. In one ear,
Leicester begs her to stay the execution while in the other, Cecil
insists she enforce the law. An implacable Elizabeth will not be swayed —
Mary has betrayed both her throne and her heart.
Scene two — Mary's apartments in Fotheringhay Castle: Mary
is still furious at Elizabeth's behavior in the park and weeps over her
fate. Cecil enters and delivers the sentence of death. Alone with
Talbot, Mary bemoans her fate, recalling her past transgressions and the
men who have vainly died in her name. Talbot gives her absolution, and
she prepares to go to her death cleansed of any sin.
Members of Mary's household gather for the grim task as she bids them
farewell. As a final request, Mary asks Cecil if she may be accompanied
to the chopping block by Anne, her closest companion. Ordered by the
queen to attend the bloody event, Leicester shares a final moment with
his former lover before she begins her ascent to the scaffold.
Courtesy of Minnesota Opera
