Malignant Fate Donizetti's 'Maria Stuarda' - recommended by ROBERT ANDERSON '... wonderfully alert ...'

A book that haunted my childhood contained a vivid account of Mary Stuart's execution at Fotheringay Castle. I was particularly pleased by the behaviour of her little dog, which apparently crept affectionately between the severed head and the remains of her neck. There is no dog in this production, but the background of the last scene in the vast open-air theatre of the Sferisterio at Macerata, a modern building worthy of ancient Rome, is dominated by the patiently waiting executioner, as he leans heavily on his massive axe....

GAETANO DONIZETTI

MARIA STUARDA

NAXOS

ITALY