Anna Bolena

Melbourne Opera continues its season with the second instalment of Donizetti’s Tudor Trilogy.

Production Details

Dates:
2, 5, 9th November, 2016.
Venues:
Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne.
Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University.
Running Time:
2hrs 30m, one 20 minute interval.

Composer: Gaetano Donizetti
Conductor: Greg Hocking
Director: Suzanne Chaundy
Starring: Elena Xanthoudakis, Sally Anne-Russell Eddie Muliaumaseali’i,

Following the sold out triumph of Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart) last year, Melbourne Opera continues the great Donizetti trilogy bringing the Bel Canto masterpiece Anna Bolena (Anne Boleyn) to The Athenaeum for the first time this November. This production is the second exploration of Donizetti’s Tudor operas with Melbourne Opera staging a third Australian premiere when it presents Roberto Devereux in 2017.

Once again, Melbourne Opera is thrilled to be working with Music Director of the former Victoria State Opera Richard Divall, who has prepared a new edition and translation for this season. Melbourne Opera Director Greg Hocking and Head of Music Raymond Lawrence will share the conducting of the distinguished cast and highly praised Melbourne Opera chorus and orchestra. 

After bringing opera to The Regent Theatre for the very first time with the critically acclaimed production of Wagner’s Tannhäuser, Melbourne Opera are once again working with accomplished director Suzanne Chaundy for their third new production for 2016. 

Linking their trilogy, Melbourne Opera has been sure to include the brief appearance of Anne’s daughter Elizabeth I (played demurely by Evie Rose Lowcock), who is the one character to appear in each of Donizetti’s Tudor operas. Read our director Suzanne Chaundy’s production notes for an inside look at this forthcoming production.

 

Press & Reviews

“Melbourne Opera is to be congratulated for mounting such an interesting version of this work. Little wonder that the Athenaeum’s opening-night audience responded so enthusiastically.”

— Rob Holdsworth, Australian Book Review.

“Pick of the week”

The Age

Cast & Crew

Anne Boleyn — SOPRANO — Elena Xanthoudakis.
Henry VIII — BASS — Eddie Muliaumaseali’i.
Jane Seymour — MEZZO SOPRANO — Sally-Anne Russell, Sally Wilson.
Henry Percy — TENOR — Boyd Owen.
Lord Rochefort — BARITONE — Phillip Calcagno.
Smeaton — MEZZO SOPRANO — Dimity Shepherd.
Hervey — TENOR — Geoffrey Harris.
Princess Elizabeth — Evie Rose Lowcoc.

Chorus:
Alicia Groves, Alison McIntosh-Deszcz, Angela Hennel, Ariel Chou, Catherine Hoffman, Cecily Woodberry, Cheryl Darvidis, Debra O’Connor, Elisabeth Denk, Erin Towns, Esther Gresswell, Giuliana D’Appio, Jodie Debono, Lynda Watkins, Maddie Crombie, Maree Macmillan, Myfanwy Coghill, Sara Kogan-Lazarus, Sherryn Kew, Sue Halls, Sue Robertson.
Andrew J Dickinson, Cameron Sibly, David Woodberry, Dick Dowling, Finn Gilheany, Geoff King, Ian Cook, James Ash, Mark Henderson, Nick Webb, Paul Dernelley, Robert Moroni, Robert Van Keulen, Roland Seidl, Steve Marsh,
Te Ua Houkama, Tim Dal,y Trevor Mills.

Director: Suzanne Chaundy
Conductor: Greg Hocking, Raymond Lawrence
Designer – Set: Christina Logan-Bell
Designer – Lighting:  Lucy Birkinshaw 
Chorusmaster: Raymond Lawrence
Repetiteurs: Konrad Olszewski, Peter de Jager
Stage Manager: Sarah Grey
Assistant Stage Manager: Kirsty Walker
Assistant Director: Miki Oikawa
Hair, Make-up & Wigs: Amanda Cummings
Costumier:  Lauren Ritchie
Company Manager:  Robbie McPhee
Consulting Swordsman: Finn Gilheany
Producer: Greg Hocking