Opera Preview: Maria Stuarda

Blue Hill, Maine - Donizetti's opera Maria Stuarda comes to the Grand in Ellsworth on Saturday, January 19th, by live simulcast from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. To help music lovers prepare for this event, the Bagaduce Music Lending Library and Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library will join together to introduce and study this theatrical journey at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 18th, in the Howard Room of the Blue Hill Public Library.

The second opera of Donizetti's Tudor trilogy, Maria Stuarda explores regal characters at fateful moments of their lives. Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, one of the world's most exciting singers, takes on the virtuosic bel canto role of the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots. Eliza van den Heever sings Elizabeth I and Maurizio Benini conducts.

Local opera enthusiasts Linda Lesko and David Porter will summarize the plot, introduce the music and offer some ideas of special ways to enjoy the Saturday simulcast. All are welcome, no previous opera knowledge is needed, and admission is free. For more information, call the library at 374-5515.