Donizetti, G.: Maria Stuarda

Donizetti, G.: Maria Stuarda (Sferisterio Opera Festival, 2007) is a captivating, professionally filmed, live recording of a thrilling performance that took place at the spine-tingling Sferisterio Opera Festival in Macerata, Italy in 2007. The film's titular opera was written by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti and has a libretto by Giuseppe Bardari. A delightful dramatic retelling of history, it showcases the fierce rivalry and inevitable confrontation between the two queens, Mary, Queen of Scots, and her cousin Queen Elizabeth I of England.

The production blooms due to the cohesive ensemble gathered, with Giovanna Lanza and Mario Cecil taking the sterling leads. They are supported by a talented cast that collectively epitomizes the grandeur of 16th-century European drama with aplomb.

Giovanna Lanza dons the role of the ill-fated Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart, or Mary, Queen of Scots), imbuing the tragic figure with haunting beauty, mellifluous elegance, and emotional conviction. Her vocal prowess is exceptionally displayed in the piece's pinnacle aria ‘Quando di luce rosea,’ known for its lyrical intensity and demanding range. It truly showcases the crème de la crème of bel canto, the early 19th-century Italian opera style that emphasizes beautiful, virtuosic singing.

On the other side of the same coin, Mario Cecil plays the fiercely majestic Elizabeth I with irresistible power. Filled with a profound sense of royal somewhat tragic ichor, Cecil’s portrayal manages to bring out both the humanity and the majesty of the troubled queen.

The film captures the tumultuous, dangerous times when religion and politics created dangerous divisions and lethal rivalries in England, as both queens vie for the crown and the religious rang of the country. The film stays ostensibly faithful to the opera's structure of three acts, posing the political and personal as two sides of the same golden coin.

Embroidered with the enchanting score of Donizetti, the film is filled with beautiful arias and powerful ensemble moments that make this opera a standout within the bel canto repertoire. The composer's music complements the historic and dramatic events of the story with precision and emotion, evoking pathos and despair interwoven with lighter moments of relief and humanity.

The hauntingly beautiful open-air theatre Sferisterio is a character in itself, providing a breathtaking backdrop to this dramatic opera. The architecture of this ancient Italian amphitheater, combined with the precision of modern sound and lighting techniques, enhances this cinematic experience.

Capturing the lush, elaborate costumes and intricate set designs in captivating detail, the film amplifies the grandeur of the original stage performance. However, it also brings cinema's unique perspective - focusing on nuances of expression, individual vocals, and the orchestra's sweeping score in a way an audience member in the back row could never experience. Production design is a triumph, achieving a balance of opulence and restraint, reflecting the grandiosity of the opera's royal court setting while never overshadowing the performances.

Cinematography offers a front-row seat to the spectacle while also giving a perspective well beyond what one would experience in a theater. The camera sweeps through the action, capturing detailed close-ups that allow viewers to feel the raw emotion prevalent in the performances. The result is a thrilling to-and-fro between the atmospherics of a live event and the visual intimacy of close-up acting.

Additionally, the orchestra conducted by Riccardo Frizza adds another level of richness to this compelling cinematic experience. Frizza draws a radiant and flexible performance from the Orchestra Regionale delle Marche that goes along with the drama on stage, creating a perfect synergy between the musicians and the performers.

In conclusion, Donizetti, G.: Maria Stuarda (Sferisterio Opera Festival, 2007), is a must-watch film that beautifully bridges the gap between opera and cinema. It’s not just a filmed opera – it’s a feast of both visual and auditory pleasures. Opera lovers will surely revel in the experience, but even those without any prior affinity for this form of musical storytelling would be captivated by the impeccable performances, the brilliant score and the high production values of this film.