Les Arts concludes its season with the intrigues and passions of the Tudor Dynasty and the most theatrical ‘bel canto’ in Donizetti’s ‘Roberto Devereux’
02.06.2025
- Eleonora Buratto, the great diva of Italian opera, completes the challenge of debuting the three protagonists of the 'Tudor Trilogy' in Valencia
- Francesco Lanzillotta, an expert in the bel canto repertoire, directs the most theatrical and dramatic of the operas that Donizetti dedicated to the English throne.
Valencia (May 30, 2025). The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía concludes its production of Gaetano Donizetti's 'Tudor Trilogy' with the premiere on Wednesday, June 4, of 'Roberto Devereux' in the Main Hall, one of the masterpieces of the bel canto repertoire.
The artistic director of Les Arts, Jesús Iglesias Noriega, presented this Les Arts production today, in co-production with the Dutch National Opera and the Teatro San Carlo of Naples, accompanied by its musical director, Francesco Lanzillotta, and the soprano Eleonora Buratto, protagonist of the work.
According to Iglesias Noriega, 'Roberto Devereux' is the perfect closing to the Les Arts opera season, as it brings together all the elements that make the Italian repertoire one of the favorites of the Valencian public:
“Donizetti closes his trilogy with the most theatrical and breathtaking of the three operas. Music and words appeal to the most human passions and feelings: jealousy, revenge, cruelty, and regret, to tell us about the impossible loves of Queen Elizabeth I. 'Roberto Devereux' brings together all the beauty of bel canto opera with the essence of Italian drama with which Verdi, years later, would revolutionize the genre.”
In terms of artistic merit, Iglesias Noriega praised the strength of a cast that has looked to Eleonora Buratto as its inspiration in all three operas. The singer, an undisputed star of Italian opera, has chosen Valencia to emulate divas like Montserrat Caballé and Beverly Sills by incorporating into her repertoire the three challenging soprano roles that Donizetti wrote in 'Anna Bolena', 'Maria Stuarda', and 'Roberto Devereux'.
The project has also featured, in its three installments, two of Spain's most internationally renowned singers: the Valencian mezzo-soprano Silvia Tro Santafé and the Jerez-born tenor Ismael Jordi. Filippo Ravizza, one of Italy's most promising young baritones, completes the main cast singing 'Roberto Devereux'.
On the podium will be the Italian conductor Francesco Lanzilotta, who debuted at Les Arts in 2020 with 'Il viaggio a Reims' and is one of the leading figures in his country in the bel canto repertoire and particularly in the work of Gaetano Donizetti.
Dutch director Jetske Mijnssen is staging the 'Tudor Trilogy', with set design by Ben Baur, costumes by Klaus Bruns and lighting by Cor van den Brink.
As Mijnssen points out, 'Roberto Devereux' “is almost a play, a romantic thriller. We no longer see a queen and her courtiers, but human beings. The way Donizetti builds tension and atmosphere is exceptional. That's why we've opted for a more modern and contemporary approach.”
Donizetti's 'Roberto Devereux' will be performed on June 4, 7, 11, 14, and 18. Les Arts reminds the public that tickets can be purchased through its various sales channels: box office, phone line 96 197 59 00, and its website . On Sunday, June 1, the Main Hall will host a preview performance of this opera, reserved for audiences under 29 years of age.
