Lyric Opera 2019-2020 Issue 6 The Three Queens

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 19 PRODUCTION SPONSORS Ethel and William Gofen Harris Family Foundation The December 1, 2019, performance is sponsored by Martha A. Hesse. SYNOPSES Anna Bolena Previously in the opera Having tired of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII now loves her favorite lady- in-waiting, Jane Seymour. Richard Percy, whom the young Anne once loved, returns from exile and rekindles his feelings for her. Suspecting her of infidelity with Percy and the court musician Smeaton, Henry orders all three to prison, along with Anne’s brother, Lord Rochford. Anne and Percy deny the accusations, but Henry’s council condemns them both. When Henry later gives Percy and Rochford a reprieve, they refuse it, preferring to die with Anne. Act Two, Scene Two, Finale Anne’s ladies lament the fate of their mistress, who uneasily remembers happier days. She is brought to her senses by seeing Percy, Rochford, and Smeton, who admits his complicity in Anne’s trial; by lying, he thought he was actually saving Anne’s life. Her mind wanders again, but a cannon shot brings her back to reality. Forgiving Henry and Jane, his new queen, Anne ascends to the scaffold. Maria Stuarda Previously in the opera Queen Elizabeth I keeps her cousin, Mary Stuart (Mary, Queen of Scots), a prisoner. One of Elizabeth’s ministers, Lord Cecil, opposes mercy for Mary. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leiceister, loves Mary, although he is also the Queen’s favorite. Mary has sent him a letter for Elizabeth, asking for an audience with her. The Queen agrees to see Mary, but their meeting quickly deteriorates, with Mary insulting the Queen as a “vile bastard.” Mary’s death warrant is soon signed by Elizabeth. George Talbot, the sympathetic Earl of Shrewsbury, comes to Mary wearing priest’s vestments, hears her confession, and absolves her. Act Three, Scene Two Mary’s followers assemble in the execution chamber’s anteroom. Her companion, Hannah Kennedy, urges them to hide their grief to avoid increasing Mary’s suffering. Surrounded by her friends, Mary offers a final prayer. Cecil informs her that Elizabeth will grant her last requests. Mary asks that Hannah be permitted to stay with her to the end, and that he convey to Elizabeth her forgiveness for all offenses. After bidding Leicester and Talbot farewell, Mary walks to her execution. Roberto Devereux Previously in the opera Queen Elizabeth I loves the much younger Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. When sent by Elizabeth on a diplomatic mission to Ireland, Essex displeases the Queen by signing a peace treaty with Irish rebels. Her own advisors persuade Elizabeth to charge Essex with treason. The Queen is unaware that Robert loves her married friend Sarah, Duchess of Nottingham. In private, Elizabeth reminds Essex that she once gave him a ring; at any time, he need only return it to her to guarantee his safety. Essex unwittingly reveals to Elizabeth that he loves someone else. When secretly meeting Sara at her home, Essex accidentally leaves the ring behind. Parliament condemns Essex to death, and Elizabeth must sign the warrant. She hesitates until offered certain proof: a scarf belonging to Sarah, found with Essex when he was arrested, making clear that he has betrayed the Queen’s love. The furious Nottingham returns home and locks all doors, preventing Sara from returning the ring to Elizabeth. Act Three, Scene Three The Queen, willing to forgive Essex and still hoping to receive the ring from him, hears from Cecil that Essex is about to be executed. Sara appears and hands Elizabeth the ring, a confirmation that she is her rival. The Queen hears a cannon shot, announcing Essex’s death. Elizabeth now vents her rage on both Nottingham and Sara. With visions of the dead Essex haunting her, the Queen longs for death and declares Scotland’s James VI the new King of England. LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO Anthony Freud General Director, President & CEO Sir Andrew Davis Music Director Enrique Mazzola Music Director Designate Renée Fleming Creative Consultant Ms. Radvanovsky’s gowns are designed by Rubin Singer. Ms. Radvanovsky’s jewelry is by Ann Ziff for Tamsen Z. Lyric Opera of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the support of the Mr. and Mrs. William H. Redfield Bel Canto Opera Endowed Chair and the NIB Foundation Italian Opera Endowed Chair. Lyric Opera of Chicago wishes to thank its Official Airline, American Airlines. Projected English titles (Maria Stuarda, Roberto Devereux) © 2019 by Lyric Opera of Chicago. Projected English titles (Anna Bolena) © 2001 by Francis Rizzo. ( Maria Stuarda , Roberto Devereux ) By arrangement with Hendon Music, Inc., a Boosey & Hawkes company, Sole Agent in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for Casa Ricordi/Universal Music Publishing Ricordi S.R.L., publisher and copyright owner. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS Anna Bolena 35 minutes Maria Stuarda 35 minutes Intermission 25 minutes Roberto Devereux 25 minutes Total 2 hours