Metropolitan in Opera HD: Maria Stuarda

Gaetano Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, the latest Metropolitan Opera production that was screened in high definition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines was my most highly anticipated among the operas offered for this season. This anticipation stemmed from my fascination with history, royal intrigue and fantasy novel series like The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire made this opera about Mary, Queen of Scots and the events that led to her execution by Queen Elizabeth I, a can’t miss.

This particular production directed by David McVicar tried to show the contrast between the two rival queens. Elza van den Heever’s Queen Elizabeth I was a burly, rough and crude monarch. Despite her thick makeup, she never looked nor acted regal. On the other hand, Joyce DiDonato’s Mary was refined, classy and was clearly portrayed as a martyr.  Vocally, Elza van den Heever had a rough start with her opening aria not as precise, crisp and clean as I expected coming from a coloratura. But Joyce DiDonato was phenomenal vocal and acting wise. I heard people at my back already sniffing just before the Deh! Tu di un'umile preghiera in Act II was performed.

In the opera, the two queens weren’t just rivals for the crown, but also for the heart of Robert Dudley, The Earl of Leicester which was played by Matthew Polenzani. He also played the role of Nemorino in L’Elisir D’Amore, and again he didn’t impress me that much. But I think that it’s because DiDonato had an exceptional performance that it became hard for the rest of the cast to match it. Other cast members in this production were Matthew Rose who played George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, Joshua Hopkins who played William Cecil, Lord Burghley and Maria Zifchak, playing Jane Kennedy. Maurizio Benini led the orchestra in this production.

What really interested me tremendously in this opera was realizing how the religious tension affected the composition of this opera. It clearly came from a Catholic’s point of view since Donizetti is an Italian. So, it was no surprise that Queen Elizabeth I came out as the villain even though she was just probably protecting her domain. But this staging by McVicar had her acting like a buffoon and not like a royal. I wish that she should’ve been portrayed similarly to Mary so that one couldn’t determine who among the two women is right.

The final screening of the Metropolitan Opera in HD series for this season will be Thomas Adès’ The Tempest to be shown in August 20, 2013 at 2:00 & 7:00 PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). This production will be of note as well since it is a 21^st century composition unlike the previous offerings which are already centuries old.