Maria Stuarda is not among my top 3 Donizettis, but it does have some of his most gorgeous music, has an amazing scene between Maria and Elisabetta(Figlia Impura Di Bolena! Vil Bastarda!) and the story is moving at least. In terms of productions of Maria Stuarda(and there are not many around at the moment), my first choice is the Janet Baker/Rosalind Plowright production. This production is still good though, though things could have been even more to make it great. I did think the production looked fine, the mix of traditional and contemporary did work- though people may wish for a more sumptuous approach- and the costumes, apart from Maria's which could have been more regal, I didn't see much problem with either. The main problems were with the sound, which sounds as though the performance was recorded from some distance away, and the video quality which is often too dark and focused on things that quite frankly don't belong in the drama. The staging is involving on the most part, the Prison Scene and the poignant Prayer scene really stood out. The confrontation between Mary and Elisabetta is for me the highlight of the opera and although it started off a little too much like naughty schoolgirl vs. firm teacher by the end it was an example of drama on fire. The orchestral playing is stylish, beautifully balanced with some nuances, the chorus sing sympathetically and the conducting does show devotion to the score and is really polished and musical. I thought the performances were on the most part very good, though not the most ideal around. While she can lack breath support at times and possessing a heavier voice than most in the role, Carmela Remigio takes a noble stab at the title role and does very well with it. Okay, other sopranos have shown off more vocal acrobatics than her and there is the essence of "Donizetti done safe", however she has the high notes and at least sings the right rhythms in the right place. Her beautiful is a gleaming and quite beautiful one, shown to great effect complete with sustained legato in the Prayer scene, and she is a dignified and moving actress. I may have seen and heard better Elisabettas(ie. Shirley Verrett), but Sonia Ganassi proves herself to be an intelligent performer, and she manages to sing firmly and while perhaps too much on the girlish side to act regally. There is definitely some good rapport between these two. Joseph Calleja I am not a fan of strictly speaking, however he does make for a great Leicester, his tone is really sweet and beautiful here and he is at least a winning presence. Riccardo Zanellato has moments of gruffness as Talbot, but there is evidence also of some resonant singing as well and he does convey the drama well. Overall, not an amazing production but it is a good one. 7/10 Bethany Cox