Premiered at La Scala in 1835, this opera is famous for the real-time battles that took place on stage during the rehearsals, and on opening night, between the two prima donnas. No such drama at La Scala, where the luminous Mariella Devia bowed as Maria Stuarda and Anna Caterina Antonacci as Elisabetta in La Scala's January, 2008 production. The opera received strong reviews both for the staging and spectacular singing:

"Devia gave a dignified and aristocratic performance. Her exquisite mezza voce, coloratura singing and flawless high notes won cries of ``brava'' from Milan's discerning aficionados. Antonacci, cut a severe, pallid and scary figure as Elizabeth. She is a good actress with an impressive presence and a luxurious lower register. Fogliani gave the singers a great platform on which to shine, and the supporting cast was solid, contributing to some engaging ensemble pieces. Argentine tenor Dario Schmunk as Leicester was a sort of mini Russell Crowe at his grizzliest, giving a passionate and energetic performance. His high, light lyric tenor packs a punch, and it's just right for bel canto and Mozart roles." (Bloomberg, 1/2008)

Emerging Pictures brings this performance to theaters as part of its High Definition opera series. Cinemas across the U.S. and abroad will be participating in these screenings. Screenings of Maria Stuarda begin in New York on March 20 at Symphony Space, and clicking on the link below can access a complete listing of viewing locations.

Participating Cinemas

In the United States, Emerging Pictures is presenting this series through Emerging Cinemas, its network of digital venues comprised of museums, performing arts centers, art houses and cultural centers nationwide. Emerging Pictures has again partnered with Screenvision for distribution of the operas to movie theaters nationwide. Screenvision is a leading cinema advertising and movie pre-show entertainment company, and also provides a variety of alternative content programming to its network of U.S. movie theatres via its Screenvision Programming Services division.

The operas are presented via digital cinema servers, enabling theaters to select the date and time of single or multiple presentations. With the release of Aida in December 2007, Screenvision and Emerging Pictures were the first companies worldwide to bring opera to cinemas equipped with the 2k systems of Texas Instruments DLP Cinema technology conforming to the guidelines set by the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) experts which provide the absolute best image for the viewers.

In addition to Maria Stuarda, productions slated for big screen release are Puccini's Il Trittico (La Scala), Verdi's La Forza del Destino (Maggio Musicale) and Puccini's La Rondine (Teatro La Fenice). Emerging Pictures' first three opera releases, Aida (La Scala), Tristan und Isolde (La Scala) and La Traviata (La Scala) continue screening in theatres across the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Australia and Norway. Movie theater tickets for these operas are priced at $20 and selected cinemas may offer multiple viewings. For additional information about Emerging Pictures, please contact Kirshbaum Demler & Associates at 212/222-4843.

ABOUT EMERGING PICTURES
Emerging Pictures was founded in 2002 by Barry Rebo, Giovanni Cozzi and Ira Deutchman to create a new theatrical distribution network for independent, international and documentary films through the use of digital technology. Emerging has grown into a distribution, marketing and exhibition company through its network of theaters, Emerging Cinemas, which bring first-run arthouse cinema to cities and communities that would otherwise not usually have access to such films. Additionally, Emerging Cinemas continues to build on its programs that syndicate specially curated film festivals around the country. These festivals are curated by some of the most prestigious film organizations, including the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the Latinbeat Film Festival with the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the IndieWire Undiscovered Gems festival. www.emergingpictures.com



PRODUCTION AND CAST INFORMATION


March, 2008
MARIA STUARDA
La Scala, by Gaetano Donizetti, directed, designed and costumed by Pier Luigi Pizzi
Conductor: Antonino Fogliani
Cast: Includes Mariella Devia (Maria Stuarda), Anna Caterina (Elisabetta)

April, 2008
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO
Teatro del Maggio Musicale, Florence, by Giuseppe Verdi, directed by Nicolas Joel
Conductor: Zubin Mehta
Design: Ezio Frigerio
Costumes: Franca Squarciapino
Cast: Includes Violeta Urmana (Donna Leonora), Carlo Guelfi (Don Carlos di Vargas), Marcello Giordani (Don Alvaro), Julia Gertseva (Preziosilla)

May, 2008
IL TRITTICO
La Scala, by Giacomo Puccini, directed by Luca Ronconi
Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
Design: Margherita Palli
Costumes: Silvia Aymonino
Cast: Includes Juan Pons (Michel), Miro Dvorski (Luigi), Paoletta Marrocu (Giorgetta), Anna Maria Popescu (Frugola), Barbara Frittoli (Suor Angelica), Mariana Lipovsek (Zia Principessa), Leo Nucci (Gianni Schicchi), Nino Machaidze (Lauretta), Cinzia De Mola (Zita), Stefano Secco (Rinuccio)

June, 2008
LA RONDINE
Teatro La Fenice, Venice, directed by Graham Vick
Conductor: Carlo Rizzi
Design: Peter J. Davison
Cast: Includes Fiorenza Cedolins (Magda), Massimo Giordano (Ruggero)