Maria Stuarda

This autumn, Tudor and Elizabethan National Trust properties open their doors for the premiere of Olivier-Award winning OperaUpClose’s new English version of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda.

Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I go head-to-head in this historical tragedy, culminating in a fictitious meeting between the rival queens, which sizzles with vocal fireworks. Political leaders jostling for position as battle-lines are drawn over questions of national sovereignty? We’ll leave you to draw any contemporary parallels…

Donizetti’s powerful melodies will be performed in concert style by a talented cast of six singers and a pianist at the Priory Church in Canons Ashby this October. Canons Ashby is a tranquil Tudor manor house set in rare terraced gardens, with the ‘antient’ Dryden at its heart.

Tickets are £15 (£7.50 for children).

Cast & Creatives

LIBRETTIST & DIRECTOR Robin Norton-Hale
MUSICAL DIRECTOR & PIANIST Paul McKenzie

MARY STUART Flora McIntosh
QUEEN ELIZABETH Philippa Boyle
EARL OF LEICESTER Joseph Doody
LORD CECIL Ian Beadle
LORD TALBOT Stuart Pendred
ANNA Louise Ratcliffe

VIOLIN Stefano d’Ermenegildo
CLARINET Sarah Douglas