By Nikita Gourski, Development Communications Officer

This April, Donizetti's 'Tudor Trilogy' comes to an end with the COC premiere of Roberto Devereux. Here are ten key things you may want to know before you head to your seat!

1) Royal Intrigues
In the opera, a cloud of suspicion hangs over the Queen’s beloved Roberto Devereux, who has been accused of treason by members of Parliament. Elisabetta (Elizabeth I) doesn’t believe the charges, but she soon learns that Devereux might have betrayed her in another, more personal way, by falling in love with Sara, the Duchess of Nottingham. As Devereux’s life hangs in the balance, the Queen must navigate between her obligations as monarch and her all-too-human emotions as a woman in love.

Queen Elizabeth I is one of history's most dramatized monarchs. Her lasting legacy, and fascinating personal life, has inspired countless works for the stage, page and screen. From epic historical dramas to irreverent comedies and even sci-fi, many notable performers have made the character of the Virgin Queen their own.

When Sondra Radvanovsky makes her role debut as Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux on April 25, she'll add her name to that list! To celebrate this iconic role, we've narrowed down a selection of our favourite on-screen Elizabeths through the years.

By Gianmarco Segato, Adult Programs Manager

Introduction

Roberto Devereux is the final instalment in Gaetano Donizetti’s “Tudor Trilogy” which also includes Anna Bolena and Maria Stuarda. Central to each of these operas is a soprano role which stretches the singer to the limits of her technical and dramatic capabilities. It’s generally agreed that the role of Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux represents the summit of these prima donna (principal female) roles with regards to difficulty.