Details

During the reign of Louis XIII France is actually under the stern control of Cardinal Richelieu. Maria, previously in love with the Count of Chalais, has married the Duke of Chevreuse, who has been imprisoned for taking part in a duel. When Richelieu is suddenly deposed, her husband, released from prison at Chalais's request, makes their union public - Chalais is devastated. Following Richelieu's unexpected return to power, a tense emotional triangle of passionate love and conflicting loyalties develops. The plot inexorably tightens its grip on the characters as time runs out, and the inevitable bloody denouement is delivered with austere brutality. Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Cast/Performers

Eglise Gutierrez (Maria Countess of Rohan), Yeghishe Manucharyan (Riccardo Count of Chalais), James Westman (Enrico Duke of Chevreuse), Tyrone Landau (Armando of Gondi), Darcy Bleiker (The Viscount of Suze), Paul Reeves (De Fiesque), Robert Gardiner (Aubry Chalais's secretary)

Creatives/Company

Author: Donizetti
Lyrics: Salvatore Cammarano
Producer: Wexford Festival Opera
Conductor: Antonino Fogliani
Director: Charles Edwards
Design: Charles Edwards
Costume: Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lighting: Giuseppe Di Iorio
Other: Lubomir Matl (chorus master)
Company(s): Wexford Festival Opera Chorus, Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra