Gloriana is an opera in three acts by Benjamin Britten to an English libretto by William Plomer, based on historical incidents. First performance: Royal Opera House, London, 1953. The foyer of Charles Garniers Opéra, Paris, opened 1875 Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental as it is through the lyrics. ... Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh, OM (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976) was a British composer, conductor and pianist. ... A libretto is the complete body of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or secular oratorio and cantata, musical, and ballet. ... William Charles Franklyn Plomer (he pronounced the surname as ploomer) (1903 - 1973) was a South African author, known as a novelist, poet and literary editor. ... The Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a performing arts venue in London. ... Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7,421,328 and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. ... 1953 (MCMLIII) is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

It depicts the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I of England and the Earl of Essex, and was composed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen is, however, said to have been disappointed by the opera. Elizabeth I Queen of England and Ireland Queen of France, nominal title Elizabeth I (September 7, 1533–March 24, 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from November 17, 1558 until her death. ... Earl of Essex is a title that has been held by several families and individuals, of which the best-known and most closely associated with the title was Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1566 - 1601). ... Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born 21 April 1926, is the Queen regnant of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and... The foyer of Charles Garniers Opéra, Paris, opened 1875 Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental as it is through the lyrics. ...

Characters

• Principle roles
  • Earl of Essex - Tenor
  • Queen Elizabeth I - Soprano
• Minor roles
  • Henry Cuffe - Baritone
  • Lord Mountjoy - Baritone
  • Sir Walter Raleigh - Bass
  • Sir Robert Cecil - Baritone
  • Recorder of Norwich - Bass
  • Spirit of the masque - Tenor
  • Penelope, Lady Rich, sister of Essex - Soprano
  • Frances, Countess of Essex - Mezzo-soprano
  • Lady in waiting - Soprano
  • Master of ceremonies - Tenor
  • Blind ballad singer - Bass
• Other
  • Housewife - Mezzo-soprano
  • City crier - Baritone
  • Mountjoy's page - Spoken
  • Essex's page - Spoken
  • Citizens, maids of honor, ladies and gentlemen, councillors - Chorus

In music, a tenor is a male singer with a high voice (although not as high as a countertenor). ... Look up Soprano in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In music, a soprano is a singer with a voice ranging approximately from the A below middle C to high C two octaves above middle C (i. ... This is an article on the voice type. ... This is an article on the voice type. ... A basso (or bass) is a male singer who sings in the lowest vocal range of the human voice. ... This is an article on the voice type. ... A basso (or bass) is a male singer who sings in the lowest vocal range of the human voice. ... In music, a tenor is a male singer with a high voice (although not as high as a countertenor). ... Look up Soprano in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In music, a soprano is a singer with a voice ranging approximately from the A below middle C to high C two octaves above middle C (i. ... A mezzo-soprano (meaning medium soprano in Italian) is a female singer with a range usually extending from the A below middle C to the F an eleventh above middle C. Mezzo-sopranos generally have a darker (or lower) vocal tone than sopranos, and their vocal range is between that... Look up Soprano in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In music, a soprano is a singer with a voice ranging approximately from the A below middle C to high C two octaves above middle C (i. ... In music, a tenor is a male singer with a high voice (although not as high as a countertenor). ... A basso (or bass) is a male singer who sings in the lowest vocal range of the human voice. ... A mezzo-soprano (meaning medium soprano in Italian) is a female singer with a range usually extending from the A below middle C to the F an eleventh above middle C. Mezzo-sopranos generally have a darker (or lower) vocal tone than sopranos, and their vocal range is between that... This is an article on the voice type. ...

Plot

Time: The late 16th century.

Place: England.

Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ...

Act I

Mountjoy wins a jousting tournament. Essex challenges him to a duel and is wounded. The queen scolds the men for their jealousy. Cecils informs the queen of an affair between Penelope and Mountjoy. Essex woos the queen on the lute, and gains permission to attack the Irish rebel Tyrone. The queen prays for strength.

Act II

A masque is given in the queen's honor. Mountjoy and Penelope have a tryst in the garden. Essex denounces the queen for thwarting his military plans. The courtiers dance a set of five "Courtly Dances" during which dancers are thrown into the air by their partners. The ladies retire. To punish Lady Essex for wearing too fancy a dress, the queen wears it herself. Essex is appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland.

Act III

Essex arranges a truce with Tyrone. He bursts into the queen's dressing room to give her the news. The queen is dressing, and orders his arrest for such insolence. He escapes and tries to raises an army against the queen. He is captured and condemned. Cecil believes the queen will pardon Essex. Penelope, Lady Essex, and Mountjoy all support the pardon, but this only stiffens the queen's resolve, and she signs his death warrant. The queen wants to be a wise ruler as she faces her own mortality.

References

• http://www.bhso.org.uk/britglor.htm
• http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/works/britten/gloriana.html