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THE PERFORMANCE

Approximate run time: 3 hours, including two 15 minute intermissions

A pre-performance talk will be given by WCO co-founder Peter Russell at 5 PM in Lisner Auditorium. Attendance to this talk is included in the price of your performance ticket.

Peter Russell will also give an Opera Gems talk in the weeks leading up to the performance (details to follow) — an abridged, audio-only version of this talk will be made available for free closer to the performance date.

THE OPERA

The last of Donizetti’s four operas based in the Tudor period, ROBERTO DEVEREUX focuses on the Earl of Essex during his service to Queen Elizabeth. Roberto returns to England from Ireland to face charges of high treason, and as he does, he must navigate a love triangle between himself, the Duchess of Nottingham, and the Queen — or face certain death.

This performance features three WCO debuts—rising tenor Andrew Owens* in the title role, Italian soprano Roberta Mantegna (also making her much-anticipated US debut) as Queen Elizabeth, and baritone Ricardo José Rivera as The Duke of Nottingham. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong returns to the WCO stage as Sara, Duchess of Nottingham (she returns after 2021’s MAOMETTO II).

*Due to unforeseen circumstances, René Barbera will no longer be able to join us for the December 4 performance.

THE CAST

Andrew Owens (Devereux)

Roberta Mantegna (Elisabetta)

Elizabeth DeShong (Sara)

Ricardo José Rivera (Nottingham)

Additional Cast:

Daniel O’Hearn as Lord Cecil

Kerry Wilkerson as Sir Walter Raleigh

LEARN MORE

A plot synopsis and program notes can be found at the buttons below.