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By Matthew Westphal
05 Jan 2007
It may not provide accurate history, but it offers some dandy designs and even dandier vocalism. Maria Stuarda, Donizetti's bel canto battle royal about the struggle (thoroughly fictionalized) between Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England, opens tonight in a new staging by director Stephen Lawless at the Dallas Opera.
The production — of which we offer some photos below&nsp;— stars Majella Cullagh as the star-crossed Scottish monarch and Adina Nitescu as her iron-willed English counterpart (and first cousin). Stephen Costello takes the role of the Earl of Leicester, the man over whom the rival queens fight. (See? We told you it wasn't bona fide history.) John Marcus Bindel sings Lord Cecil, with James Westman as Talbot. Benoit Dugardyn designed the scenery and Ingeborg Bernerth the costumes; with lighting by Wolfgang Goebbel. Dallas Opera music director Graeme Jenkins conducts the company's chorus and orchestra.
Maria Stuarda — presented in Dallas as Mary, Queen of Scots — runs for four performances from tonight through January 13. For more information, visit www.dallasopera.org.
All photos by Karen Almond.
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