Description
The opera traces the downfall of the Earl of Essex who, presuming upon his privilege as the Queen's favourite, forces a tragedy upon them both. Elizabeth I never forgot that she was the Queen and that, as a woman, she had to show that she could rule with no less authority and decision than a man; so she felt compelled to sentence him to death when he failed her and became a danger to the country.
With this strong sense of theatre Benjamin Britten vividly depicts Queen Elizabeth's dilemma and combines scenes of great pageantry with moments of private reflection.
Benjamin Britten
Queen Elizabeth I: Sarah Walker
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex: Anthony Rolfe Johnson
Frances, Countess of Essex: Jean Rigby
Sir Walter Raleigh: Richard van Allan
Penelope, Lady Rich: Elizabeth Vaughan
Sir Robert Cecil: Alan Opie
Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy: Neil Howlett
Henry Cuffe: Malcolm Donnelly
Lady-in-Waiting: Lynda Russell
Chorus and Orchestra of the English National Opera, Mark Elder 1984
Stage Production: Colin Graham
Picture: 4:3
Format: NTSC
Sound: PCM Stereo
Region: 0 All regions
Languages: EN
Subtitle: EN/DE/FR/ES
Running Time: 147mins
Categories:
DVDs > OperaCurrent Repertory > Opera
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