Opera

Gaetano Donizetti: ANNA BOLENA

The world premiere of Gaetano Donizetti´s opera Anne Boleyn took place in 1830 at Teatro Carcano, Milan. It was a milestone in the composer´s work and opened the way to international fame for him. Opera´s story took inspiration from historical circumstances in England in 1536.

King Henry VIII divorced his first wife so he could marry Anne Boleyn. Three years later, he got rid of her too. King´s favour turned to the queen´s lady-in-waiting and her rival, Jane Seymor. Therefore he cunningly and maliciously accuses his wife of infidelity that she allegedly committed with her childhood friend Lord Percy. Both were sentenced to death. Before execution, Anne forgives. . .

Gaetano Donizetti and librettist Felice Romani wanted to bring to the stage more than historical facts: romance, love, betrayal and hardships of the main character. The Renaissance of Belcanto began in the second half of the 20th century. It allowed the audience to get to know the tragic role of Anne Boleyn. Since then, It has been sung by many great sopranos. Let´s mention Beverly Sills, Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballé and Edita Gruberová.

After the successful performance of the Roberto Devereux opera with the main character of Queen Elizabeth I., the Opera of the State Theatre Košice continues Gaetano Donizetti´s Tudor Trilogy with the story about her mother Anne Boleyn. We will present the opera Anne Boleyn in semi-staged form.