Anna Bolena

Sung in Italian with English subtitles
Duration approx. 4 hrs 20 min. 1 interval

CONDUCTOR: Marco Armiliato

With the Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera

Synopsis

Act I
England, 1536. Queen Anne’s star is sinking since King Henry VIII has fallen in love with another woman. At Windsor Castle, Anne admits to her confidante and lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour, that she is troubled. A song her page Smeton sings reminds her of the happiness of her first love, which she gave up to marry the King.

Jane, who is in fact the King’s new lover, is conscious-stricken about her betrayal. Henry promises her marriage and glory, but she is disturbed by his threats about Anne’s future. She realizes that it is too late for her to turn back.

Lord Richard Percy, Anne’s former lover, has been called back from exile by the King. When he asks Lord Rochefort, the Queen’s brother, about Anne, Rochefort answers evasively. Percy admits that his own life has been miserable since he parted from Anne. The King arrives with a hunting party, followed by Anne and her ladies-in-waiting. He coolly greets his wife, then tells Percy that he has the Queen to thank for his pardon. In fact, he has arranged Percy’s return as a trap for Anne. He orders one of his officers to spy on the couple.

Smeton, who is in love with the Queen, is on his way to her apartments to return a miniature portrait of her that he had stolen. He hides when Anne appears with Rochefort, who persuades his sister to admit Percy. Percy enters and declares his continuing love. Anne admits that the King hates her, but she remains firm and pleads with Percy to find another woman worthy of his affection. Just as he draws his sword and threatens to kill himself, Henry bursts in. Smeton proclaims the Queen’s innocence and in the process accidentally drops the miniature, providing the King with proof for his wife’s seeming infidelity. Anne, Percy, and Smeton are arrested.

INTERVAL

Act II
Anne has been imprisoned in her London apartments. Jane tells her that she can avoid execution by confessing her love for Percy, thereby allowing the King to remarry, but Anne refuses and curses the woman who will be her successor. Jane admits that she is that woman. Shocked, Anne dismisses her, but then gives in to Jane’s desperate pleading, insisting that it is the King, not her, who is to blame. Smeton has falsely testified to being the Queen’s lover in an unsuccessful attempt to save Anne’s life. When Anne and Percy are brought before the Council, Anne tells the King that she is ready to die but begs him to spare her the humiliation of a trial. Percy claims that he and Anne were married before she became the King’s wife. They are led away. Jane pleads with Henry for Anne’s life, but he dismisses her. The Council declares that the royal marriage is dissolved and Anne and her accomplices are to be executed.

Anne, in a state of delirium, imagines herself on her wedding day, then recalls her girlhood love for Percy. When bells and cannon fire are heard, announcing the King’s new marriage, she suddenly comes to her senses. She furiously curses the royal couple and goes off to face her execution.