Maria Stuarda

Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart) (Donizetti). Libretto by Giuseppe Bardari; 2 acts; first performance Naples 1834 (as Buondelmonte, the names and plot changed because the King objected to the opera and first performance as Maria Stuarda in 1835).

England, 1567: Leicester asks Elisabetta (Elizabeth I) to grant an interview to her cousin Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart), who is imprisoned at Fotheringay. This arouses the Queen's jealousy, as she suspects him of loving Mary. Leicester goes to see Mary and prepare her for the Queen's visit. The confrontation between the two women turns into a slanging match and Elizabeth, encouraged by Cecil, signs Mary's death warrant. Leicester begs her to be merciful, but she tells him he must witness the execution. Talbot hears Mary's confession and Leicester watches in despair as Mary, escorted by her companion, Hannah (Anna) Kennedy, is led to the scaffold.