Review: Donizetti: Maria Stuarda ****

It would be difficult in today's musical world to imagine a cast that is more visually and vocally ideal than the one assembled by Opera North for their new production of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda.

The composer was never fussy about historic accuracy, his story leading to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, being largely fictitious. That lack of veracity stimulated Antony McDonald's staging to be set amid an odd assortment of costumes from different ages in sets that only hint at the location.

Certainly contentious but often eye-catching, none more so than the blood red coat of the murderous

Queen Elizabeth as she taunts Mary Stuart in their venomous meeting.

The part is taken by the Italian soprano, Antonia Cifrone, a latter-day Callas but without her vocal quirks.

She has a mightily imposing adversary in Sarah Connolly's Mary, the character's mixture of warmth and bitterness sung with a gorgeously radiant voice. Her final hymn is a moving moment.

Bulent Bezduz, as Leicester, is a special talent in today's dearth of lyric tenors, while David Kempster as Cecil and the George Talbot of Frederic Bourreau are so unfailingly true to character.

The German conductor, Guido Jahannes Rumstadt, draws exceptionally fine playing from the orchestra and mighty powerful choral singing.

There is a further performance tomorrow night.