ROBERTO DEVEREUX, AN EMOTIONAL OPERA

The tragic work of Roberto Devereux by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti is rightly regarded as a classic. The opera, with a libretto from Salvadore Cammarano, is roughly based on the life of the titular second earl of Essex in the time of Queen Elisabeth I of England. Dealing with the formal codes of marriage and romance in the late middle ages, the opera reveals the strict rules of behaviour in the royal court. The opera has been performed widely around the world since its début at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples in 1837.

HISTORY

The story takes place in the royal court of Queen Elisabeth of England in 1598. The opera examines the love lives of three central figures of the Queen, the Duchess of Nottingham and her doomed paramour, Devereux. Building up an intense atmosphere of rivalry over three acts, the opera culminates in a performance of pure tragic romance.

Act 1

Sara, the Duchess of Nottingham cries alone in nervous dismay. The Queen enters and declares that she has agreed to see the treason accused Devereux once again. Lord Cecil approaches the Queen and asks her for a final judgement. Devereux soon enters, and the Queen expresses her love for him and gives him a ring. Sara overhears all of this to her shock and displeasure. In the following scene Sara sees the ring on Devereux's finger and, taking it to mean a symbol of love, states that they must never see each other again.

Act 2

The Lord Cecil confides in the Queen that the final sentence for Roberto Devereux will be death. The Queen learns that he had a scarf in his possession which she examines. Nottingham enters and begs for Devereux's life, until the Queen shows him the scarf. Recognising it as his wife's work, he declares that he will have vengeance. The Queen asks Devereux to name her love rival, but he refuses and his death warrant by axe is signed and sealed. Nottingham bitterly cries that an axe strike is not punishment enough.

Act 3

Sara receives a letter from Devereux along with his ring. He instructs her to deliver the ring to the Queen and beg forgiveness. Nottingham takes the letter and the ring from her. In his cell, Devereux wonders why the Queen has not received the ring. He is soon led away to his execution. In the final scene, Elisabeth is mournful over the death of her love. She demands to know why the ring was not delivered to her. Nottingham replies with the chilling words; "blood I wanted, and blood I got." Elizabeth is haunted by the headless corpse of Devereux and the affecting performance is drawn to a close.

THE MAIN ROLES

• Roberto Devereux, Earl of Essex, tenor
• Elisabeth Ist, Queen of England, soprano
• The Duke of Nottingham, baritone
• Sara, Duchess of Nottingham, mezzo-soprano
• Lord Cecil, nobleman, tenor
• Sir Gualtiero Raleigh, nobleman, bass