Classical Preview: Divas line up to do battle as banned work reaches stage

Banned by the censors as political dynamite and languishing in obscurity for more than 100 years, a new production of Donizetti's infamous opera, Maria Stuarda, features in Opera North's summer programme, sharing the season with revivals of Puccini's La Bohème and Dvorak's Rusalka.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Apr 2010, 13:21 BST
Updated 30th Apr 2010, 13:22 BST

Never one to get bogged down with historical facts, it was the fictional meeting between the two queens, Elizabeth and Mary, that caused such a backlash as being far too provocative for Italy in the 1830s.

Today, it has become the scene viewed greedily by great divas who, with venom, can launch into this battle for survival – the great mezzo, Sarah Connolly, taking the part of the beleaguered Mary facing up to the Elizabeth of Antonio Cifrone, the dramatic soprano last seen a couple of seasons ago as Lady Macbeth.

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The Turkish tenor, Bulent Bezduz, sings Leicester, and the young French bass, Frederic Bourreau, takes the part of Talbot.

Opening the season next Tuesday comes the updated production of

La Bohme. Though now set in 1950s' Paris, nothing has changed much – the young still owe money, fall in love, and go out on the town.

It comes with a largely new cast, the young Sarah Fox taking Mimi, with the fine lyric tenor of Aldo Di Toro as Rudolfo.

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Also updated, rather more controversially, is Olivia Fuch's macabre recreation of the mermaid who falls in love with a human prince in Dvorak's opera, Rusalka. It is a passion doomed to tragedy.

Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, May 4-June 12. 0844 8482706.