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October 4, 2013

Benjamin Britten: Gloriana
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

Royal Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Paul Daniel, conductor

CAST:  Susan Bullock (Queen Elizabeth I); Toby Spence (Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex); Patricia Bardon (Countess of Essex); Mark Stone (Lord Mountjoy); Kate Royal (Penelope); Peter Coleman-Wright (Sir Robert Cecil); Clive Bayley (Sir Walter Raleigh)

Written for the coronation of Britain's current queen, Elizabeth II, Glorianatells the much-repeated story of the Elisabeth I and the Earl of Essex.  Now a popular and successful score, it was snubbed at first, for paying less than perfect respect to the history of the monarchy. 

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