The Met’s Anna Bolena Encores At The Grand

Anna Netrebko in the title role.

The Met’s Anna Bolena Encores At The Grand


Ellsworth, Maine - The New York Metropolitan Opera’s series of Hi Def encores continues at The Grand with Anna Netrebko in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena on Wednesday, June 13th at 6 pm with a running time of 4 hours, 15 minutes and one intermission.

Of all the episodes in world history, few have excited such a feverish and enduring cultural fascination as the romantic, political, and religious tribulations of the court of King Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn, the king’s second wife, exerts an especially powerful hold on the collective imagination. Now, at last, the queen makes her way to the Met, where Anna Netrebko sings the title role of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena.

“All the historical figures in Anna Bolena are very recognizable, particularly to us, a British team,” says McVicar, who is working with frequent collaborators Robert Jones (sets) and Jenny Tiramani (costumes). “When one considers the figure of Henry VIII, it’s very interesting that this is not the obese tyrant- This is still the virile lover, desperate to create an heir and failing to do so with Anne. And this is really the lynchpin of the story: Anne’s inability to provide him with the male heir that he craves.”

For Netrebko, the role provides the opportunity to perform in what she calls “one of the most beautiful operas ever written.” At the Met she’ll be singing alongside Russian compatriots Ildar Abdrazakov as the king and Ekaterina Gubanova as her successor in royal matrimony Giovanna (aka Jane) Seymour, as well as Stephen Costello as Lord Percy. Marco Armiliato will conduct, and rising star Angela Meade steps into the title role in later performances.

So bring a friend. Share the experience. And come see a production that Anthony Tomassini of The New York Times described as "a first among equals,” when The Grand presents the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Hi Def encore of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena on Wednesday, June 13th at 6 pm.

Tickets are $17 for General Admission and $8 for Youth 12 and under.  Call The Grand box office for tickets, or purchase online at www.grandonline.org.

The Grand is pleased to present other high-definition encores of The New York Metropolitan Opera this summer, including bel canto sensation Juan Diego Flórez in the title role of Rossini’s vocally dazzling comedy Le Comte Ory on Wednesday, June 20th at 6 pm.

A full schedule can be found online at www.grandonline.org. Or find The Grand on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Grand-Auditorium/112755987339.