Beverly Sills & Eileen Farrell sing Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda"

Here is an extended scene (Act II, scene 3) from Donizetti's opera "Maria Stuarda" with Beverly Sills in the title role and Eileen Farrell as Queen Elizabeth I.

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) asks Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603) for forgiveness. Elizabeth cannot hide her hatred of her cousin Maria and curses her as evil. Mary then returns the insults, calling Queen Elizabeth a harlot. Elizabeth condemns Mary to death.

In real life, these two great artists were very dear friends. A couple quotes from Sills....

Farrell was known for slipping into her dressing room with a large bottle of warm Coke. Why? She drank it to warm up her vocal equipment, via a thunderstorm of belches. Beverly Sills, an old friend, once overheard the rumblings. "Those weren't burps," Sills recalled. "They were symphonies."

With regard to Farrell's autobiography, "Can't Help Singing" Sills said: "Thank heaven Eileen Farrell couldn't help singing. I can't help loving her. I can't help loving this book. It's lusty, funny, warm, and no holds barred. It's Eileen! It's a treat."

Here's a brief excerpt from an interview with Sills on recording this opera with Farrell:
   • Beverly Sills on recording "Maria Stu...  

Link to my playlist for "Farrell sings Opera": http://www.youtube.com/user/kadoguy20...

I have many playlists of rare performances with Eileen Farrell. Please see my channel for the others and look at my channel for a link to a rare recital with Eileen Farrell & Beverly Sills!