Opera: Roberto Devereux

by Gaetano Donizetti
Teatro di San Carlo, Naples 2025-07-16 ... 2025-07-25

Gaetano Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux is a powerful lyric tragedy that tells the story of love, betrayal, and political intrigue at the heart of the English court. Set to be performed at the prestigious Teatro di San Carlo in Naples from July 16th to 25th, 2025, this opera explores the doomed fate of Queen Elizabeth I’s love for the titular character, the Earl of Essex, Roberto Devereux. At the heart of the drama is Queen Elisabetta, torn between her feelings for Devereux and the betrayal she perceives as he faces charges of treason. The opera beautifully intertwines personal and political conflict, with Elisabetta’s vulnerability and strength at its emotional core, all set against the backdrop of Donizetti’s poignant and dramatic score.

Donizetti’s score for Roberto Devereux is a prime example of the bel canto style, with its emphasis on vocal agility and emotional expression. The role of Elisabetta is particularly demanding, requiring a soprano who can convey both the vulnerability of a woman in love and the fierce authority of a monarch. The opera’s most famous moments include Elisabetta’s heart-wrenching aria “Vivi, ingrato” and the duets between Elisabetta and Devereux, which underscore the tragic tension between love and duty.

Travel Package Teatro San Carlo Naples

Music trip to Naples for 3 days / 2 nights with premium tickets for the opera Roberto Devereux at the Teatro San Carlo Naples.
The travel package includes 3 days with 2 nights in one of our selected hotels in Naples and is put together according to your wishes. You can choose between the Essential and Superior packages, request additional nights, and a subsequent program to explore Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Italy.

Teatro San Carlo

Teatro di San Carlo, known for its world-class productions and breathtaking venue, provides the perfect setting for this deeply emotional and dramatic opera. With the talented Roberta Mantegna starring as Elisabetta and René Barbera as Roberto Devereux, this production promises to be an unforgettable journey into the depths of human emotion and power.

The Story of Roberto Devereux

This is a production where historical drama meets intense personal conflict, enhanced by Gaetano Donizetti’s masterful composition, making Roberto Devereux a must-see for opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Donizetti’s complex characters, moving arias, and stirring orchestration will resonate within the hallowed halls of Teatro di San Carlo, offering a night of opera that blends grandiosity with emotional intimacy, leaving audiences spellbound.

Roberto Devereux, first performed in 1837 at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, is part of Donizetti’s trilogy of operas featuring English queens, alongside Anna Bolena and Maria Stuarda. The libretto, written by Salvadore Cammarano, was based on Jacques-François Ancelot’s play Élisabeth d’Angleterre, which dramatizes the historical love affair between Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, and his eventual execution for treason. Though liberties were taken with historical accuracy, the opera focuses on themes of unrequited love, jealousy, and the burden of power—classic operatic elements that Donizetti skillfully brings to life through his music.

The Artists and Creative Team

Conducted by Riccardo Frizza and under the visionary direction of Jetske Mijnssen, the opera brings together a star-studded cast, complemented by stunning set and costume designs from Ben Baur and Klaus Bruns.

Lyric tragedy in three acts
Libretto by by Salvadore Cammarano, afer the tragedy by Jacques-François Ancelot Elisabeth d’Angleterre

Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro di San Carlo
Chorus Master • Fabrizio Cassi
Sung in Italian with Italian and English surtitles
Running time: approx. 2 hours and 40minutes, with interval

Coproduction of Teatro di San Carlo, Dutch National Opera, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia – Valencia

Conductor • Riccardo Frizza
Stage Director • Jetske Mijnssen
Setting Design • Ben Baur
Costume Design • Klaus Bruns
Lighting Design • Cor van den Brink
Dramaturgy • Luc Joosten
Choreographies • Lillian Stillwell

Cast

Elisabetta • Roberta Mantegna
Sara • Annalisa Stroppa
Roberto Devereux • René Barbera
The Duke of Nottingham • Nicola Alaimo
Lord Cecil • Enrico Casari
Sir Gualtiero Raleigh • Mariano Buccino
A page • Linda Airoldi (16+22) and Antonia Elide Facciuto (19, 25)
A familiar from Nottingham • Ciro Giordano Orsini

Booking Process

Music trip toNaples for 3 days / 2 nights with premium tickets for the opera “Roberto Devereux”. The highlight is a visit to the famous Teatro San Carlo on the second evening to experience a magnificent performance in a world-famous environment with global stars. You can select between Essential and Superior Package.

Each travel package will be composed according to your wishes. Follow the booking process:

Select a Date
Press “Add to cart” and “Send Request”
When we receive your booking request, you will get an individual offer with some hotels to choose from. Only after your decision, we send you a travel contract to confirm the booking.
Description of the Essential and Superior Package