Friday, May 16, 2025, 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 18, 2025, 3:00 pm

Charity Randall Theatre, Oakland

Based on the historical events surrounding the execution of Anne Boleyn, Gaetano Donizetti’s tragedy, Anna Bolena, explores the psychological depth and intertwining fates of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour as they navigate the whims of the oppressive, murderous King Henry VIII. Notable for its melodic richness, dramatic intensity, and intricate and expressive vocal writing, Anna Bolena was Donizetti’s first major operatic success. It catapulted him to fame, laying the groundwork for operas like Lucia di Lammermoor, L’elisir d’amore, and two other works about Tudor queens: Maria Stuarda and Roberto Devereux.

Experience this story like never before—performed for the first time in Pittsburgh in 25 years!

Cast & Creatives

  • Katy Lindhart

    ANNA BOLENA

  • Tahanee Aluwihare

    GIOVANNA SEYMOUR

  • Dane Suarez

    LORD PERCY

  • Jason Zacher

    ENRICO VIII

  • Benjamin Sieverding

    LORD ROCHEFORT

  • Sarah Austin

    SMETON

  • Maria Sensi Sellner

    CONDUCTOR/PRODUCER

  • Robert Frankenberry

    STAGE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER

More about the show

While the events that inspired this opera occurred nearly 500 years ago, Anna Bolena feels strikingly modern, an examination of the dangers of being a woman in power, then and today. Exploring themes of dignity, injustice, and sacrifice, Anna Bolena brings new perspective to an old story, giving voice to two silenced queens.

“Vocal revelation” (Houston Chronicle) Katy Lindhart (Viardot’s Cinderella) returns to Resonance Works as the doomed Anne Boleyn, alongside “impeccable” (Operawire) mezzo-soprano Tahanee Aluwihare (last seen in This Love Between Us) as the conflicted Jane Seymour. 

Praised for his “big, heroic voice” (LA Weekly), tenor Dane Suarez makes his Resonance Works debut as Lord Percy, Anne’s former lover. Also making their debuts are “powerful and polished” (Opera Today) bass-baritone Jason Zacher as the tyrannical Henry VIII  and “booming bass” (Pioneer Press) Benjamin Sieverding as Anne’s brother, Lord Rochefort. Sarah Austin (Rigoletto) brings her “rich mezzo” (South Florida Classical Review), back to Resonance Works as the court musician, Smeton, along with tenor Donovan Elliot Smith (The Little Prince, La donna del lago), who brings his “towering presence” to Sir Hervey.

Charity Randall Theatre
4301 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

 

  • There are accessible street parking spaces on Forbes (near the Forbes & Bigelow intersection, a bit less than a block from the theater) and along Bellefield Avenue, among other locations. An elevator has recently been installed to ease accessible entrance: proceed around the right side of the theater to reach the elevator vestibule. The path is paved with stone, and can be slightly bumpy.

    If you're being dropped off, you can use the cobblestone access road to the right of the main entrance, but there is no public parking available there.

    If you're parking on the street, all curbs in the area have proper curb cuts at the intersections.

    If you will be enjoying the performance from a wheelchair, the Randall has recently added five dedicated spaces in the front of the house left section. Due to some challenges with our ticketing system, please enquire at the ticket desk about accessible seating when you arrive, or call us at 412-501-3330.

If you have further questions about accessibility, please do not hesitate to contact Brennan Sellner at brennan@resworks.org or 412-501-3330 (please note that this is an office number, and cannot receive texts).