Maria Stuarda facts for kids
Maria Stuarda is an Italian opera in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. An opera is like a play where the story is told mostly through singing, with music played by an orchestra. The words sung in an opera are called a libretto, and for Maria Stuarda, the libretto was written by Giuseppe Bardari. This opera is based on a famous play called Maria Stuart by Friedrich Schiller.
The opera was first performed in Naples, Italy, on October 18, 1834. However, because of some parts the government didn't approve of, it was first shown under a different name, Buondelmonte. The original version of Maria Stuarda was finally performed in Milan on December 30, 1835. It is considered one of Donizetti's best works. The opera is especially famous for a dramatic scene where Queen Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England meet and argue. This exciting meeting never actually happened in real life, but it makes for a very powerful moment in the opera!
About the Main Characters
In an opera, different singers play the main characters. Each singer has a specific voice type that fits the role. Here are the main characters in Maria Stuarda and the voice types that sing their parts:
- Maria Stuarda (Mary, Queen of Scots) - A soprano sings this role. A soprano is a female singer with a high vocal range.
- Elisabetta (Elizabeth I of England) - This role can be sung by a soprano or a mezzo-soprano. A mezzo-soprano is a female singer with a voice range lower than a soprano but higher than an alto.
- Leicester - A tenor sings this part. A tenor is a male singer with a high vocal range.
- Talbot - A bass sings this role. A bass is a male singer with the lowest vocal range.
- Cecil - A baritone sings this part. A baritone is a male singer with a voice range between a tenor and a bass.
See also
In Spanish: María Estuardo (ópera) para niños
