A Semi-Staged Production Starring Sondra Radvanovsky The Three Queens

Featuring the finales of Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, and Roberto Devereux by Gaetano Donizetti.

Three of the most extraordinary women in history grace Donizetti’s “Three Queens” trilogy: proud Mary Stuart, passionate Anne Boleyn, and mighty Queen Elizabeth I. Each is a stupendous role for a true singing actress, who must combine glorious sound with masterful technique and incomparable charisma. Lyric favorite Sondra Radvanovsky is one of the very few singers of our time to have commanded all three of these roles in a single season, which brought her ecstatic praise from critics and audiences internationally.

Singing the finales of Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, and Roberto Devereux in semi-staged performances featuring the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus and artists of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble, this magnificent American diva will give Lyric audiences vocal fireworks to remember forever.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Location: Lyric Opera House

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Radvanovsky excels in Lyric’s ‘Three Queens’”

Chicago Tribune

Radvanovsky was in characteristic voice for the occasion, the sound as voluminous as her designer gowns—steady, powerful, darkly gleaming.”

Chicago Classical Review

Radvanovsky’s voice has all the requisite depth, range and emotional heat for this grueling showcase.”

WTTW

The Three Queens videos

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Donizetti's "The Three Queens"

Hear from Lyric's Chorus Master Michael Black, on how important this concert is, the power of Sondra Radvanovsky and why you can't miss it!

Sondra Radvanovsky invites you to experience Donizetti's The Three Queens

The Three Queens articles

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Dramatic gowns fit for three queens

Sondra Radvanovsky's theatrically magnificent "Three Queens" gowns evoke the operatic and actual queens without being historical artifacts. American designer Rubin Singer has created three extraordinary fashion statements, collaborating with jewelry designer and philanthropist Ann Ziff.

Sondra Radvanovsky's tour de force at Lyric

Sondra Radvanovsky sings many of the most challenging roles ever written for a soprano. Now at Lyric she's put the finales of Donizetti's Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, and Roberto Devereux together for "The Three Queens", a uniquely exciting presentation of these scenes in a semi-staged performance.

Previously in the opera

Having tired of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII now loves her favorite ladyin-waiting, Jane Seymour. Richard Percy, whom the young Anne once loved, returns from exile and rekindles his feelings for her. Suspecting her of infidelity with Percy and the court musician Smeaton, Henry orders all three to prison, along with Anne's brother, Lord Rochford. Anne and Percy deny the accusations, but Henry's council condemns them both. When Henry later gives Percy and Rochford a reprieve, they refuse it, preferring to die with Anne.

Act Two, Scene Two, Finale

Anne's ladies lament the fate of their mistress, who uneasily remembers happier days. She is brought to her senses by seeing Percy, Rochford, and Smeton, who admits his complicity in Anne's trial; by lying, he thought he was actually saving Anne's life. Her mind wanders again, but a cannon shot brings her back to reality. Forgiving Henry and Jane, his new queen, Anne ascends to the scaffold.
Previously in the opera

Queen Elizabeth I keeps her cousin, Mary Stuart (Mary, Queen of Scots), a prisoner. One of Elizabeth’s ministers, Lord Cecil, opposes mercy for Mary. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leiceister, loves Mary, although he is also the Queen’s favorite. Mary has sent him a letter for Elizabeth, asking for an audience with her. The Queen agrees to see Mary, but their meeting quickly deteriorates, with Mary insulting the Queen as a “vile bastard.” Mary’s death warrant is soon signed by Elizabeth. George Talbot, the sympathetic Earl of Shrewsbury, comes to Mary wearing priest’s vestments, hears her confession, and absolves her.

Act Three, Scene Two

Mary’s followers assemble in the execution chamber’s anteroom. Her companion, Hannah Kennedy, urges them to hide their grief to avoid increasing Mary’s suffering. Surrounded by her friends, Mary offers a final prayer. Cecil informs her that Elizabeth will grant her last requests. Mary asks that Hannah be permitted to stay with her to the end, and that he convey to Elizabeth her forgiveness for all offenses. After bidding Leicester and Talbot farewell, Mary walks to her execution.
Previously in the opera

Queen Elizabeth I loves the much younger Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. When sent by Elizabeth on a diplomatic mission to Ireland, Essex displeases the Queen by signing a peace treaty with Irish rebels. Her own advisors persuade Elizabeth to charge Essex with treason. The Queen is unaware that Robert loves her married friend Sarah, Duchess of Nottingham. In private, Elizabeth reminds Essex that she once gave him a ring; at any time, he need only return it to her to guarantee his safety. Essex unwittingly reveals to Elizabeth that he loves someone else. When secretly meeting Sara at her home, Essex accidentally leaves the ring behind. Parliament condemns Essex to death, and Elizabeth must sign the warrant. She hesitates until offered certain proof: a scarf belonging to Sarah, found with Essex when he was arrested, making clear that he has betrayed the Queen’s love. The furious Nottingham returns home and locks all doors, preventing Sara from returning the ring to Elizabeth.

Act Three, Scene Three

The Queen, willing to forgive Essex and still hoping to receive the ring from him, hears from Cecil that Essex is about to be executed. Sara appears and hands Elizabeth the ring, a confirmation that she is her rival. The Queen hears a cannon shot, announcing Essex’s death. Elizabeth now vents her rage on both Nottingham and Sara. With visions of the dead Essex haunting her, the Queen longs for death and declares Scotland’s James VI the new King of England.

Program book

Go inside this production of The Three Queens with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

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Meet The artists

Sondra Radvanovsky

Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, Elisabetta

The internationally celebrated Illinois-born soprano is widely regarded as today’s preeminent interpreter of the dramatic-coloratura heroines in the bel canto repertoire.

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Riccardo Frizza

Conductor

Italian conductor Riccardo Frizza conducted The Three Queens (2019|20), Norma (2016|17) at Lyric Opera.

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Matthew Ozawa

Director

American director Matthew Ozawa directed five operas since 2015|16, most recently The Three Queens (2019|20)

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Sarah Riffle

Lighting Designer

Sarah Riffle was the Lighting Designer for Tchaikovsky's The Three Queens (2019|20)

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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