The Met staging Donizetti opera

Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky performs in the first-ever production of the final instalment in Donizetti’s Elizabethan trilogy Roberto Devereux

The Met Live in HD presents ‘Roberto Devereux’.

The Met Live in HD presents ‘Roberto Devereux’.

Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky performs in the first-ever production of the final instalment in Donizetti’s Elizabethan trilogy Roberto Devereux, with the Met Live in HD on Saturday, April 16 on the big screen at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

Conducted by Donizetti specialist Maurizio Benini and directed by Sir David McVicar, Roberto Devereux uses elegant sets and costumes to bring to life the story of Queen Elizabeth I as she is forced to sign the death warrant of the nobleman she loves, Robert Devereux.

Tenor Matthew Polenzani is Devereux, mezzo- soprano Elina Garanca plays Sara and baritone Mariusz Kwiecien completes the principal quartet as the Duke of Nottingham.

“Donizetti’s gift for melody and understanding of the human voice are on full display in Roberto Devereux, but the score goes beyond that, revealing the dramatic possibilities inherent in the best of the bel canto tradition,” reads a press release from The Met.

Roberto Devereux, The Met: Live in HD takes place Saturday, April 16 at 9:55 a.m. at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. Series savings of up to $2.50 per show are now available for opera packages of three shows of individual tickets: adult $27/senior $25/student $22/child $16/eyeGo $5. Tickets are available in person at the Cowichan Ticket Centre, 2687 James St. or by phone 250-748-7529 or online at cowichanpac.ca.

Cowichan Valley Citizen