Anna Bolena

Anna Bolena is an Italian opera by Gaetano Donizetti. The libretto is by Felice Romani based on the life of Anne Boleyn.

It first performed on December 26, 1830, at the Teatro Carcano, Milan.

The duet "Sui suo capo aggravi un Dio" between Anna (soprano) and Jane Seymour (mezzo soprano) is considered one of the finest in the entire operatic repertoire.

Anna Bolena was not performed frequently during the latter half of 19th century and early 20th century, but it was revived with more frequency in the post-war years. In April 1957, the opera was revived at La Scala for Maria Callas in a lavish production directed by Luchino Visconti, and it proved to be one of her greatest triumphs. Other famous interpreters of the role were Leyla Gencer, Beverly Sills, Montserrat Caballè, Renata Scotto and Edita Gruberova.

Anna Bolena is part of the standard operatic repertoire. There are a several recordings of it, and it is regularly performed.