Roberto Devereux is one of Donizetti's best operas(quite possibly my personal favourite of the Tudor Queen trilogy) to me if not his masterpiece. It has a compellingly moving story, and the music is simply great. This production doesn't do anything to ruin that. The best production of Roberto Devereux is the Alexandrina Pendatchanska one, followed closely by Beverly Sills', then this and last(but still very good) Edita Gruberova's. The costumes and sets are somewhat sparse(look to the Pendatchanska version for utmost lavishness) but tasteful in alternative to ugly and while the staging is conservative it is not square or dull. I loved how the finale was in its entirety and how intense and poignant it was. It is close to faultless musically, with stylistically accurate and beautifully toned orchestral playing- yet with also the right dramatic intensity needed- and sensitive and un-plodding conducting. Dimitra Theodossiou is a regal Elisabetta, somewhat matronly- though not in a bad way- and vengeful, heart-breaking also in her final scene. Her voice is appealingly dark and has a good deal of weight and depth, though her colouratura is less than perfect with runs and embellishments omitted and sometimes a little sloppy. She is very well supported by her colleagues, my personal favourite being Andrew Schroeder's truly excellent Nottingham, he has a very appealing voice and is by far the best actor of the cast. Frederica Bragargia is a highly admirable and strongly sung Sara and Luigi Albani makes the most of the least substantial role of the opera(Lord Cecil). Massimiliano Pisapia is highly credible in the title role, with some heroism and charisma, some nice tone and an understanding of the Bel-Canto style, making up for a tendency to sound a little on the thin side. Overall, very well performed and dramatically powerful. 9/10 Bethany Cox