Scene from Gloriana, Coronation opera, Covent Garden
Dec. 19 Gloriana, the Coronation opera performed before the Queen. In a brilliantly decorated and packed Covent Garden Opera House, the Queen watched the first performance of Gloriana, the opera written to celebrate the Coronation and dealing with the latter period of the life of Queen Elizabeth I. The music is by Benjamin Britten and the libretto by William Plomer. The part of Queen Elizabeth I is played by Joan Cross and that of Essex by Peter Pears. The opera was produced by Basil Coleman and the beautiful scenery and costumes are by John Piper. Photo shows the dramatic moment when Essex (Peter Pears) surprises his lovely Queen in her boudoir without her wig and finds her to be an old lady of sixty. The Queen is played by Joan Cross
Picture No
13196751
Media ID
46950794
Size
4435px x 5599px
(1.4MB)
Credit
(c) Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com/Mary Evans
Usage Restrictions
Editorial Use Only - No Property or Model Releases. For any non-editorial use, please contact Mary Evans direct
Source
Keystone Pictures USA
Date
1953
