Outstanding voices, compelling drama: Maria Stuarda at DNO

Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda), Aigul Akhmetshina (Elisabetta)

Maria Stuarda

Katarina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda)

Kristina Mkhitaryan (Maria Stuarda), Ismael Jordi (Leicester)

By David Karlin, 08 May 2023

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“the mental tug of war between Akhmetshina and Mkhitaryan was utterly captivating”

Reviewed at Dutch National Opera and Ballet, Amsterdam on 6 May 2023

Donizetti, Maria Stuarda

Dutch National Opera

Enrique Mazzola, Conductor

Jetske Mijnssen, Director

Ben Baur, Set Designer

Klaus Bruns, Costume Designer

Cor van den Brink, Lighting Designer

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

Chorus of Dutch National Opera

Aigul Akhmetshina, Elisabetta

Kristina Mkhitaryan, Maria Stuarda

Ismael Jordi, Earl of Leicester

Szymon Mechliński, Cecil

Alexei Kulagin, Talbot

Silvia Sequeira, Anna

Edward Ananian-Cooper, Choirmaster / chorus director

The Dutch National Ballet’s Hans van Manen in Carré

Mark Vicente, 30th April

Dutch National Ballet give an exemplary account of a quadruple bill comprised of the late Hans van Manen’s works. It’s a wonderful tribute to the great master choreographer.

*****

Weinberg’s The Passenger at Dutch National Opera

Clare Varney, 17th April

Tobias Kratzer's 2024 Munich production makes its way to Amsterdam, proving that Weinberg's opera has the power to transfix.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****1

Michel van der Aa’s Theory of Flames: defining opera for a modern age

Clare Varney, 6th March

British singers Mary Bevan and Roderick Williams lead the cast in Dutch National Opera’s latest ground-breaking opera, merging live music with pre-recorded film and electronics.

****1

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

Semele at Dutch National Opera: myth, desire and fantasy

Mengguang Huang, 23rd January

Guth’s Semele turns myth into a contemporary domestic drama, where desire becomes obsession and illusion consumes reality. Handel’s music remains the true engine, driven by a thrilling, physically intense ensemble.

****1

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Outstanding voices, compelling psychodrama: Maria Stuarda at Dutch National Opera