Tragická opera Gaetana Donizettiho Anna Boleynová otvírá volnou trilogii o ženách kolem anglického trůnu. Bude pokračovat Schillerovou tragédií Marie Stuartovna a završíme ji Brucknerovou historickou hrou Alžběta Anglická. Tato snad nejslavnější panovnice byla dcerou Jindřicha VIII. a Anny Boleynové. Trilogie tak obsáhne v časové posloupnosti kus anglické historie, jak se odrazila ve velkých ženských osudech.

Gaetano Donizetti and his librettist Felice Romani kept the focus of their opera ANNA BOLENA on the personal rather than the political in this fictionalized Tudor tale: Henry VIII of England wants to get rid of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, so that he can marry her lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. He brings Lord Richard Percy, Anne's first love, back from exile so that he can find an excuse to accuse her of adultery. With the unwitting aid of Smeaton, a court musician, and Lord Rochefort, Anne's brother, the trap is easily sprung. This 2011 live recording from the Wiener Staatsoper showcases Anna Netrebko as she "scored a personal triumph" in her debut as the hapless Tudor Queen, while her stage partners - notably Elīna Garanča as Jane Seymour and Ildebrando D'Arcangelo as Henry VIII - were likewise showered with critical acclaim.

Die von der Presse gefeierte Anna-Bolena-Produktion aus der Wiener Staatsoper erscheint jetzt auf Blu-ray. Anna Netrebko in der Rolle der Königin Anna beweist erneut ihre Position als die Prima Donna assoluta mit strahlendem Können und Stimmeinsatz, Elina Garanca und Ildebrando D’Arcangelo brillieren ebenfalls in ihren Rollen.