NMH + KHiO at the Opera: Rossini (premiere)

Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868): Elisabetta Regina d´Inghilterra

• Singers from Oslo National Academy of the Arts, the Academy of Opera
• Gregor Bühl (conductor)
• The Symphony Orchestra of the Norwegian Academy of Music

For the first time in Scandinavia: The opera seria Elisabetta Regina d'Inghilterra was the first of nine operas that Rossini wrote for the Teatro San Carlo in Naples (1815) at the age of 23.

Some of Elisabetta's music was recycled in later operas: A part of Elisabetta's first aria was reused by Rossini four months later in Rosina's aria "Una voce poco fa" in the opera The Barber of Seville, as well as in the Overture.

Queen Elizabeth the 1st is torn between her love for the Earl of Leicester, victor of the Scottish enemy and her discovery of his secret marriage to Matilda, daughter of the Queen of Scotland. The conspirator, the Duke of Norfolk, pushes Elizabeth to imprison Leicester and Matilda, who swear to prefer death to separation, even if Elizabeth offers to marry Leicester. The plot is uncovered in extremis, enabling Elizabeth to bless Leicester's and Matilda's marriage.

The intense expression of the protagonists' extreme feelings is at the heart of one of Rossini's first masterpieces.