Performer: John Tessier

The thrills of Tudor (pseudo-)history and bel canto expressivity combine in the second of Donizetti's “Three Queens” operas, Maria Stuarda, making its company debut at Seattle Opera.

Despite mostly solid work from soloists and chorus, several ensemble problems and overall stylistic decisions diminished this performance's success.

Uneven musical values mar Seattle Opera's colourful production of Bizet's Les pêcheurs de perles.