Off!...to the Opera

Henry VIII was an all-around bastard, but just in case you had any doubts on that score, go and check out Anna Bolena, Donizetti's Italian opera version of how Henry's second wife ended up with her head separated from her neck. Back in Good King Henry's day, Anne Boleyn started...

By Dianna Wray

October 28, 2010

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Henry VIII was an all-around bastard, but just in case you had any doubts on that score, go and check out Anna Bolena, Donizetti's Italian opera version of how Henry's second wife ended up with her head separated from her neck. Back in Good King Henry's day, Anne Boleyn started out as a lady-in-waiting, got some kingly attention and ended up queen. Then the king got bored, or she didn't have a son, or whatever. The end result was the same--a new queen in the court and a French swordsman for the old one. Of course, all of this screams opera and Italian composer Donizetti took the story and ran with it. The results are a dramatic good time and with famed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves as Jane Seymour (and if you haven't heard this voice in person you're missing on the operatic equivalent of your first grilled-cheese--pure magic), this is a production you've got to check out. The Winspear Opera House is located at 2403 Flora St. Tickets start at $25. Call 214-443-1000 or visit dallasopera.org for more information.
Fri., Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 31, 2 p.m.; Wed., Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 14, 2 p.m., 2010

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