Gloriana

from Benjamin Britten


Gloriana
Opera in three acts


Libretto

William Plomer

Premiere

8 June 1953

Cast

QUEEN ELIZABETH I (soprano)
EARL OF ESSEX (tenor)
COUNTESS OF ESSEX (mezzo-soprano)
LORD MOUNTJOY (baritone)
PENELOPE, LADY RICH (soprano)
SIR ROBERT CECIL (baritone)
SIR WALTER RALEIGH (bass)
HENRY CUFFE (baritone)
LADY-IN-WAITING (soprano)
BLIND BALLAD SINGER (bass)
RECORDER OF NORWICH (bass)
HOUSEWIFE (mezzo-soprano)
SPIRIT OF THE MASQUE (tenor)
MASTER OF CEREMONIES (tenor)
CITY CRIER (baritone)

CHORUS
Citizens, maids of honour, ladies and gentlemen of the household, courtiers, masquers, old men, men and boys of Essex's followings, councillors

Place

England, near Plymouth

Time

1558 - 1603

Composer

Britten, Benjamin