Gloriana (opera)

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Work data
Original title: Gloriana
Original language: English
Music: Benjamin Britten
Libretto : William Plomer based on the novel Elizabeth and Essex by Lytton Strachey
Premiere: June 8, 1953
Place of premiere: Royal Opera House Covent Garden , London
Playing time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
people
  • Elizabeth I, Queen of England ( soprano )
  • Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex ( tenor )
  • Frances, Countess of Essex ( mezzo-soprano )
  • Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy ( baritone )
  • Penelope, Lady Rich, Essex's sister (soprano)
  • Sir Robert Cecil, Secretary of State (baritone)
  • Sir Walter Raleigh, Commander of the Guard ( Bass )
  • Henry Cuffe, an Essex supporter (baritone)
  • A lady-in-waiting (soprano)
  • A blind ballad singer (bass)
  • The Magistrate of Norwich (Bass)
  • A housewife (mezzo-soprano)
  • The spirit of the mask (tenor)
  • The master of ceremonies (tenor)
  • A crier (baritone)
  • Court, officers, soldiers, servants, people ( choir )

Gloriana is an opera by Benjamin Britten in three acts. The opera premiered in 1953.

action

first act

On the occasion of a tournament, Lord Mountjoy, who was awarded first prize by the Queen, and her jealous favorite Lord Essex clash. The queen separates the quarreling. Cecil warns Elizabeth about Essex. This in turn complains to her that Raleigh is preventing him from going to Ireland to put down the rebellion there.

Second act

During the Queen's visit to Norwich, Essex is impatient to be sent to Ireland. Mountjoy and Penelope meet for a secret rendezvous. You happen to witness a conversation between Lord and Lady Essex in which angry Essex is planning a revolt. Penelope and Mountjoy warn him against rash steps. On the occasion of a ball, the Queen insults Lady Essex by appearing in the lady's dress. But then she announces the appointment of Lord Essex as Commander-in-Chief in Ireland.

Third act

Essex has failed to put down the rebellion in Ireland. He storms into the queen's room, although she is still getting dressed. After Cecil reports to Elisabeth that Essex is planning a revolt against her, she orders the lord to be arrested. In the streets, opponents and supporters of Essex await the Queen's decision. Despite Mountjoy, Penelope, and Lady Essex's petitions for clemency, the Queen eventually signs the death warrant.

epilogue

The Queen has an imaginary conversation with Essex and Cecil.

backgrounds

Britten wrote the opera as a commissioned work for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. At the world premiere, conducted by John Pritchard , Joan Cross sang Elisabeth and Peter Pears , Britten's partner, sang Essex. The choreography of the dance scenes came from John Cranko .

Recordings

  • Josephine Barstow, Philip Langridge, conductor: Charles Mackerras (CD, Argo)
  • Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Conductor: Mark Elder (DVD, Arthaus)
  • Josephine Barstow, Tom Randle, conductor: Paul Daniel (DVD, Opus Arte)
  • Susan Bullock, Toby Spence, conductor: Richard Jones (DVD / Blu-ray, Opus Arte)

swell

  • Piper's Encyclopedia of Music Theater, Piper Verlag
  • The great manual of the opera, Noetzel Verlag