La donna del lago
John Fulljames directs Rossini’s love story set against the turbulent background of the 16th-century Scottish Highlands.
Photos
When to see it
Booking for 27 May 2013 - 11 June 2013 opens
- Booking opened 15 January 2013 for General Public.
- Booking opened 5 December 2012 for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opened 23 November 2012 for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opened 21 November 2012 for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opened 20 November 2012 for Premium 2 Friends.
- Mariotti
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- DiDonato
- Flórez
- Gringyte
- Leggate
- Barcellona
- Orfila
- Lee
- Bemsch
- Lackner
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Mariotti
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- DiDonato
- Flórez
- Gringyte
- Leggate
- Barcellona
- Orfila
- Lee
- Bemsch
- Lackner
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Mariotti
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- DiDonato
- Flórez
- Gringyte
- Leggate
- Barcellona
- Orfila
- Lee
- Bemsch
- Lackner
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Mariotti
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- DiDonato
- Flórez
- Gringyte
- Leggate
- Barcellona
- Orfila
- Spyres
- Bemsch
- Lackner
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Mariotti
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- DiDonato
- Flórez
- Gringyte
- Leggate
- Barcellona
- Orfila
- Spyres
- Bemsch
- Lackner
- Royal Opera Chorus
Introduction
King James V is entranced when he meets a beautiful woman, Elena, in the Highlands. But he is dismayed to learn that she is the daughter of his enemy, Douglas. Elena, meanwhile, is in love, but not with James V or her fiancée…
News and features
Musical Highlight: 'Oh mattutini albori!' from La donna del lago
Rossini introduces us to his heroine Elena as she rows her boat across a loch.
Cast change: Michael Spyres to sing in La donna del lago on 20 May
American tenor replaces Colin Lee in the role of Rodrigo.
Opera Essentials: La donna del lago
A quick guide to Rossini’s turbulent love story.
Your reaction: La donna del lago
A selection of your tweets from the opening night of John Fulljames's production.
Q&A: Joyce DiDonato
Send us your questions for the mezzo-soprano
Cast change: Michael Spyres to sing in La donna del lago on 17 May
American tenor replaces Colin Lee in the role of Rodrigo.
Background
La donna del lago is one of the most lyrical of Gioachino Rossini’s operas, with expansive ensembles and shimmering orchestration. It is based on Walter Scott’s 1810 poem The Lady of the Lake and features a libretto by Andrea Leone Tottola. Although its premiere in Naples in 1819 was a success it was rarely staged throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries. John Fulljames’s new production provides an opportunity to experience an underperformed gem.
La donna del lago opens in the atmospheric surroundings of the Scottish Highlands, as Elena – the titular Lady of the Lake – rows across Loch Katrine, singing of her love for romantic hero Malcolm. Elena’s exquisite arias are contrasted with moments of high drama, from the stormy confrontation between Rodrigo and the King to the orchestral frenzy unleashed at the sighting of a meteor.
Live cinema season
La donna del lago
27 May 2013
Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez
Conductor: Michele Mariotti
Thanks to
Generously supported by
Peter Moores Foundation and The Friends of Covent Garden
Generous philanthropic support from
Celia Blakey, Hélène and Jean Peters, Judith Portrait and Susan and John Singer
Production Director generously supported by
Hamish and Sophie Forsyth
How to support the Royal Opera House
Guidance
This production uses ADB lighting, and bright lights will shine into the auditorium: Act One, 23 minutes in (1 minute duration)
Running time
About 3 hours 20 minutes | Including one interval
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Please note
On 23 and 27 May there will be cameras filming in the auditorium
Ticket Limit
There is a limit of six tickets for this production
Credits
| Director | John Fulljames |
| Set designs | Dick Bird |
| Costume designs | Yannis Thavoris |
| Lighting design | Bruno Poet |
| Choreographer | Arthur Pita |
Related links
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: La donna del lago
- www.telegraph.co.uk John Fulljames: opera's secret
