Our fixation with The Royals goes back for centuries. It isn’t a new phenomenon. Take Gaetano Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux which has its company premiere with LA Opera beginning on Saturday and continuing through March 14th.
This opera tells the story of the title character who is the Earl of Essex. Queen Elizabeth I is a fan and in the very late 16th century (1599 to be exact), she sends him with an army to quash an uprising in Ireland. He is unsuccessful and, despite instructions to do otherwise, he returns to England. He is deemed to be a deserter.
This being opera, it isn’t just a political tale nor one of history. There are conflicted relationships that ultimately lead to tragedy. The libretto is by Salvadore Cammarano.
This production of Roberto Devereux comes from the Canadian Opera Company. Directing the opera is Stephen Lawless who made his LA Opera debut as a director with the 1988 production of Cosí fan tutte.
Eun Sun Kim conducts all performances except for the final one on March 14th. That performance will be conducted by Louis Lohraseb.
Starring as Devereux is Ramón Vargas. Queen Elizabeth I is sung by Angela Meade replacing Davinia Rodríguez who withdrew due to illness. Sara, Duchess of Nottingham is sung by Ashley Dixon through March 5th. Beginning March 8th Raehann Bryce-Davis sings the part. The Duke of Nottingham is sung by Quinn Kelsey for all but the final performance. Kihun Yoon takes over the role for the last performance on March 14th.
If you live in Orange County and can’t or don’t want to make the drive to Los Angeles, LA Opera offers a concert performance of Roberto Devereux at the Musco Center for the Arts on February 25th.
Roberto Devereux runs 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission.
For tickets go here.
For tickets at the Musco Center go here.
Photo: Christopher Halsted, Kira Hunziker and Donna Gale in “Roberto Devereux” (Photo by Cory Weaver/Courtesy of LA Opera)
Update: This post has been updated with a photo from the 2020 LA Opera production and also with new casting information due to the withdrawal of Davinia Rodríguez due to illness.