Gaetano Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots)
Composed: 1834
First Performance: December 30, 1835 La Scala, Milan (Italy)
Language: Italian
Libretto: Giuseppe Badari, after a tragedy by Friedrich von Schiller
Setting: England, 1850’s
Opera seria (serious opera) in 3 acts.
The Main Characters in Maria Stuarda
- Maria Stuarda, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (soprano)
- Elisabetta, Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England (soprano)
- Leicester, favorite of Elisabetta(tenor)
- Talbot, friend of Maria (baritone)
- Anna, Maria’s nurse (mezzo-soprano)
- Cecil, Lord Chancellor (baritone)
Basic Plot Summary of Maria Stuarda
Act I
Queen Elisabetta, Queen of England, has received a marriage proposal from the King of France that would, if she were to accept, merge the two thrones. Courtiers ask the Queen to pardon her cousin, Maria Stuarda (Mary, Queen of Scots). The Queen is in-love with Leicester, but fears that his love is for Maria instead. Leicester brings Elisabetta a letter asking permission of the queen to have a meeting with Maria, who is currently a prisoner at Castle Fotheringay. Elisabetta accuses Leicester of loving Maria. Leicester denies any involvement with Maria.
Act II
Leicester travels to Fotheringay Castle to see Maria and ready her for her meeting with queen Elisabetta. When Leicester arrives, he promises Maria that she will be freed and pledges her his love. Queen Elisabetta arrives. Maria asks the queen for forgiveness. Elisabetta cannot hide her hatred of her cousin Maria and curses her as evil. Maria then returns the insults, calling Queen Elisabetta a harlot. Elisabetta condemns Maria to death.
Act III
At Westminster, the Queen debates whether or not she should sign the death warrant for Maria. Elisabetta is convinced by Cecil to sign it. When Leicester enters, the queen orders him to be a witness to Maria’s execution. She also tells him that he is to be the one who is to bury “his beloved Maria.” Maria is alone with her friend Talbot, when she receives the warrant for her execution. Talbot reveals that he is, in fact, a priest. Maria gives Talbot her final confessions of her sins. Maria goes to her death, with Leicester looking on. The Lord Chancellor announces Maria’s death and that in her death, peace has returned to England.
Other Operas written by Gaetano Donizetti:
- Anna Bolena
- L’elisir d’amore
- Lucrezia Borgia
- Lucia di Lammermoor
- La Fille du Régiment
- La Favorite
- Don Pasquale
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