Dramatic power games: Maria Stuarda inspires at the State Opera

Dramatic power games: Maria Stuarda inspires at the State Opera

On March 16, 2025, the Hamburg State Opera celebrated the premiere of "Maria Stuarda", the opera of Gaetano Donizetti, directed by Karin Beier. The performance in the big house, which started at 6:00 p.m. and lasted until 8:40 p.m., promised an exciting experience in the sign of Belcanto, a singing technology that was strongly shaped by composers like Donizetti in the 19th century. The production was supported by the foundation to promote the Hamburg State Opera and includes an introduction at 5:20 p.m. and German and English overtitles for the Italian original.

The action of "Maria Stuarda" is inspired by historical figures and describes the power struggle between the queens Maria Stuart and Elizabeth I. They not only fight for the crown, but also for the love of Count Leicester, who is heavily torn between the two women. Interestingly, the two women have never met in reality; Her encounter in the park of Foheringhay Castle is an invention by Friedrich Schiller.

visual and musical impressions

The stage design of Amber Vandenhoeck is characterized by gray walls and an oversized hourglass, which gives a oppressive and tension -charged undertone. The staging combines traditional elements with modern accents by using visual design such as blood and bare skin to strengthen the intensity of the scenes. Musically, Antonino Fogliani leads the orchestra and uses complex arrangements that actively involve the choir in the plot.

The roles are occupied with outstanding singers: Ermonela Jaho interprets Maria Stuart, while Barno Ismatullaeva shines in the role of Elizabeth I. The dramatic course of the opera shows how Maria Stuart is ultimately represented as a superior figure on the way to the scaffolding, which offers the viewer an impressive conclusion of the performance.

Donizetti's Tudor trilogy and their meaning

"Maria Stuarda" is part of Donizetti's Tudor trilogy, which also includes "Anna Bolena" and "Roberto Devereux". Donizetti, who lived from 1797 to 1848, created an impressive picture of the Tudor period with these works, in which historical and fictional elements are interwoven. Operas of this era are known for their emotional and dramatic representations, which are particularly important due to the technology of the Belcanto.

The Belcanto tradition is characterized by a large clay unit and dynamic flexibility in singing technology, which makes the performances of "Maria Stuarda" an experience for lovers of classical music. This opera form enjoyed great popularity in the 19th century and remains a central component of the opera repertoire to this day.

The Hamburg State Opera again sets standards with this production and contributes to the preservation and revival of this important music tradition, which has its origin in the beginning of opera music and has great importance to this day, such as Opera Inside describes.

For lovers of opera and historical dramatic art, “Maria Stuarda” is a must that not only impresses musically, but also visually and captivates the spectators with a moving story.

Further information on the staging and the game plan of the Hamburg State Opera can be obtained on href = "https://www.welt.de/kultur/article25545402/maria-stuarda-der-hamburg-staatoper-belcanto-koennen-diese-tudors-ach"> world can be read.