Synopsis
Joyce DiDonato stars as Mary, Queen of Scots, in the first-ever Met production of Donizetti’s intensely dramatic historical opera Maria Stuarda, on Great Performances at the Met Sunday, September 6 at 12/11c on PBS (check local listings).
South African soprano Elza van den Heever makes her Met debut as Mary’s rival, the formidable Queen Elizabeth I, and Matthew Polenzani sings Leicester, the nobleman caught between the two dueling monarchs. Maurizio Benini conducts a cast that also includes Matthew Rose as Talbot, Mary’s jailer, and Joshua Hopkins as Elizabeth’s advisor Cecil.
The production is by David McVicar, who also staged last season’s broadcast of Donizetti’s Tudor drama Anna Bolena.
After the production’s December 31 premiere, The New York Times raved, “It was hard to imagine a better New Year’s Eve gift to opera lovers than this musically splendid and intensely dramatic performance.” The Financial Times opined, “Joyce DiDonato gives an exquisitely proportioned, remarkably sensitive performance.”
Soprano Deborah Voigt hosts the broadcast and conducts backstage interviews with the stars.
Short Listing
Joyce DiDonato stars in the title role in the first-ever Met production of Maria Stuarda.
Long Listing
The first-ever Met production of Donizetti’s opera stars Joyce DiDonato as Mary, Queen of Scots with South African soprano Elza van den Heever as Elizabeth I, Mary’s formidable rival, and Matthew Polenzani as the Earl of Leicester.
Airdates
National premiere: Sunday, September 6 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings)
Great Performances at the Met is a presentation of THIRTEEN for WNET, one of America’s most prolific and respected public media providers. Throughout its 40 year history on public television, Great Performances has provided viewers across the country with an unparalleled showcase of the best in all genres of the performing arts, serving as America’s most prestigious and enduring broadcaster of cultural programming. Now in its fifth decade, the series has been the home to the greatest artists in the areas of drama, dance, musical theater, classical and popular music, providing many with their very first television exposure.
For the Met, Gary Halvorson directs the telecast. Tim Martyn is Music Producer. Mia Bongiovanni and Elena Park are Supervising Producers, and Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik are Producers. Peter Gelb is Executive Producer. For Great Performances, Bill O’Donnell is Series Producer; David Horn is Executive Producer.
Underwriters
Corporate support for Great Performances at the Met is provided by Toll Brothers, America’s luxury home builder®. This Great Performances at the Met presentation is funded by the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation and public television viewers.
Series Overview
Great Performances at the Met is a presentation of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, bringing the best of the Metropolitan Opera into the homes of classical music fans across the United States.
Websites: http://pbs.org/gperf, http://facebook.com/GreatPerformances, @GPerfPBS, http://youtube.com/greatperformancespbs #GreatPerformancesPBS
About the Met
