Classical Notes

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Tara Erraught and Anna Devin will take the lead roles in a new production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda by Irish National Opera next month

Next month, Irish National Opera will be touring with a new production of Maria Stuarda, featuring Tara Erraught and Anna Devin

Gaetano Donizetti has a special place in Ireland’s opera history. The Wexford Festival Opera has performed seven of the famed Italian composer’s works during its first 20 years in existence. However, it has never got around to Maria Stuarda, the tragic opera that was known as perhaps the 19th century composer’s most troublesome composition.

The opera is one of a number of works by Donizetti dealing with the Tudor period in English history, and the ...