The Three Musketeers is not the only great work set in the 17th century.
This breathtaking opera of Gaetano Donzietti titled ‘Roberto Devereux’, has traveled to Naples, London, Paris and Rome and now Erie, Pa.
A live screening of Roberto Devereux will take place in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m.
According to the Met, this unique piece shows “Donizetti at the height of his musical and dramatic powers.”
The work is based on the execution of Robert Devereux, who happened to be the favorite of Queen Elizabeth I.
The entire opera takes place in London, particularly the Westminster Palace.
The historical aspects present suggest that it occurs between 1599 and 1601, which is the year Devereux died.
The intricate staging is the work of producer Sir David McVicar.
In the 2 hour and 40 minute runtime, one can hear numerous examples of just how well Donzietti understood the human voice, and translated it into his melodies.
Conductor Maurizio Benini leads the orchestra in performing the melodies of Roberto Devereux.
The music is filled with emotion that is capable of expressing the mental state of each and every character.
The opera ends with a finale devoted entirely to Elizabeth, who is depicted by Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky.
She will be joined by Matthew Polenzani, who is performing as the titular character.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $10 for children under 12 and $7.50 for Mercyhurst students with a valid student ID.