Anna Bolena
Felice Romani crafted the libretto for Anna Bolena after reading Ippolito Pindemonte's Enrico VIII ossia Anna Bolena and Alessandro Pepoli's Anna Bolena. These earlier works recounted the life of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England's King Henry VIII. Donizetti composed this tragic opera in two acts during 1830. It stands as one of four operas by the composer dealing with the Tudor period in English history. The other three include Il castello di Kenilworth from 1829, Maria Stuarda which appeared in different forms in 1834 and 1835, and Roberto Devereux from 1837. The leading female characters of these latter three operas are often referred to as "the Three Donizetti Queens." Romani changed the historical character's name from Henry Percy to Richard Percy to avoid confusion with the opera's other Enrico, or Henry VIII.
Anna Bolena premiered on the 26th of December 1830 at the Teatro Carcano in Milan. The production achieved overwhelming success upon its opening night. Weinstock notes that only after this success did Donizetti's teacher, Johann Simon Mayr, address his former pupil as Maestro. The composer had begun to emerge as one of three most luminous names in the world of Italian opera alongside Bellini and Rossini. The premiere cast included Giuditta Pasta in the title role and Filippo Galli as Enrico. Giovanni Battista Rubini performed as Lord Riccardo Percy while Elisa Orlandi played Giovanna Seymour. Henriette Laroche sang the part of Smeton, a musician who serves as Anna's page. Lorenzo Biondi portrayed Lord Rochefort, Anna's brother, and Antonio Crippa appeared as Hervey, a court official.
After its opening performances in Italy in 1830, Anna Bolena was first given in London at the King's Theatre on the 8th of July 1831. Its first US performance occurred in French as Anne de Boulen in New Orleans at the Théâtre d'Orléans on the 12th of November 1839. The New York premiere took place at the Astor Opera House on the 7th of January 1850 with conductor Max Maretzek and Apollonia Bertucca in the title role. It appears to have been presented in Europe up to 1850 in 25 cities and then again in 1881 in Livorno. After the rise of verismo, it was performed infrequently for many decades. Rarely seen in the first half of the 20th century, it was revived more frequently after World War II. On the 30th of December 1947, the opera was performed at Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona to mark that theatre's centennial.
In April 1957, the opera was revived at La Scala for Maria Callas in a lavish production directed by Luchino Visconti. Giulietta Simionato played Jane Seymour alongside her. This proved to be one of Callas' greatest triumphs. One of the seven performances from this run was recorded live on the 14th of April. In the revival the following year, Callas and Simionato repeated their roles and were joined by Cesare Siepi as the king. Nicola Rossi-Lemeni had sung the role of Henry VIII at the premiere the year before. Since its 1850 performance, the opera was not performed again in the United States until presented in a concert version by the American Opera Society in October 1957 with Gloria Davy in the title role. The Santa Fe Opera mounted the first fully staged production of the work since 1839 on the 26th of June 1959.
Several famous modern sopranos have lent their voices to the role including Leyla Gencer, Montserrat Caballé, Marisa Galvany, Renata Scotto, Edita Gruberova and Mariella Devia. Beverly Sills earned a considerable degree of fame when she appeared in all three of Donizetti's Tudor operas at the New York City Opera in the 1970s. She also made studio recordings of all three operas. Anna was one of the last new roles performed by Dame Joan Sutherland at San Francisco Opera in 1984. Anna Netrebko sang the title role for the Vienna State Opera in the Spring of 2011 and for New York's Metropolitan Opera in September 2011. Sondra Radvanovsky has sung the title role at several opera houses including the Met in 2015. The Dallas Opera presented it in November 2010 while the Minnesota Opera included it as part of a Three Queens trilogy.
Donizetti used the theme from the English American song Home Sweet Home as part of Anna's Mad Scene to underscore her longing. Act Two Scene Three takes place inside Anna's cell within the Tower of London. A chorus of ladies comments on her madness and grief before she enters. Anna imagines that it is her wedding day to the king then sees Percy and asks him to take her back to her childhood home. Cannon fire sounds and Anna regains her senses just as guards enter to lead prisoners to the block. The libretto describes how Smeton throws himself at Anna's feet saying he accused her in the belief that he was saving her life. In her delirium, Anna asks why he is not playing his lute. The music integrates this emotional turmoil with specific orchestral choices that reflect the character's psychological state during the final moments of the opera.
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Common questions
When did Anna Bolena premiere and where?
Anna Bolena premiered on the 26th of December 1830 at the Teatro Carcano in Milan. The production achieved overwhelming success upon its opening night.
Who composed Anna Bolena and what year was it written?
Gaetano Donizetti composed this tragic opera in two acts during 1830. It stands as one of four operas by the composer dealing with the Tudor period in English history.
Which famous soprano revived Anna Bolena at La Scala in April 1957?
Maria Callas starred in a lavish production directed by Luchino Visconti at La Scala in April 1957. Giulietta Simionato played Jane Seymour alongside her in this run that included seven performances recorded live.
What historical figure inspired the libretto for Anna Bolena?
Felice Romani crafted the libretto after reading works about Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England's King Henry VIII. He changed the character name from Henry Percy to Richard Percy to avoid confusion with the other Enrico or Henry VIII.
Where did Anna Bolena receive its first US performance and when?
The first US performance occurred in French as Anne de Boulen in New Orleans at the Théâtre d'Orléans on the 12th of November 1839. The New York premiere took place at the Astor Opera House on the 7th of January 1850 with conductor Max Maretzek.