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As a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, English National Opera presents a concert staging of Britten's Gloriana, starring Christine Rice in the title role.

‘Dedicated by gracious permission to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’ and premiered in 1953 as part of the Coronation celebrations, Britten based Gloriana on Lytton Strachey's 'Elizabeth and Essex' which focuses on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereaux, towards the end of her reign. With its portrayal of an ageing, capricious and vain monarch, Gloriana perplexed the first night audience which included not only the Queen and the Royal Family but also a host of the world's monarchs, aristocrats and Society figures. There are impressive set-pieces of ceremonial and pageantry, but at the heart of the opera is a moving portrait of the conflicted old Queen, torn between her private feelings and her sense of duty.

Recorded in December at the ENO Coliseum and presented by Martin Handley in conversation with Kate Kennedy.

Britten: Gloriana (Part 1)

8.05 pm
Interval

8.25 pm
Britten: Gloriana (Part 2)

Queen Elizabeth ..... Christine Rice (soprano)
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex ..... Robert Murray (tenor)
Frances, Countess of Essex ..... Paula Murrihy (mezzo-soprano)
Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy ..... Duncan Rock (baritone)
Penelope (Lady Rich) ..... Eleanor Dennis (soprano)
Sir Robert Cecil ..... Charles Rice (baritone)
Sir Walter Raleigh ..... David Soar (bass)
Henry Cuffe ..... Alex Otterburn (baritone)
A Lady-in-Waiting ..... Alexandra Oomens (soprano)
A Housewife ..... Claire Barnett Jones (mezzo-soprano)
The Spirit of the Masque ..... Innocent Masuku (tenor)
A Blind Ballad Singer / The Recorder of Norwich ..... Willard White (bass)

Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)