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Elena (La Donna del Lago)

Is there a more magical place to experience opera than in Santa Fe, New Mexico? I don't think there is, for it is here that the landscape becomes a fully fledged character in the opera. This was our final dress rehearsal and the sky you see is the New Mexico sunset - not a painted backdrop. This production used the sky to full effect, and it was magical every night to feel the breeze rustling Elena's skirt. ©Ken Howard

The stage is now set, at the top of Act 1, and in the middle of their extended duet, for miscommunication, chemistry, and vocal fireworks - with Juan Diego Florez. © Bill Cooper

At the end of the Act 1 Finale, Elena nearly collapses under the weight of the impending war and all the carnage that will surely follow. This is one of my favorite production photos, as I love how Bill was able to catch the movement around her as she retreats inward for that peace she is always searching for. © Bill Cooper

In this visually stunning production, Elena first is seen

In the 2nd act, Uberto is declaring his love to her. The thrill of singing this music with Juan Diego Florez never lessens. Photo © Bill Cooper

This performance took place on the 5th Anniversary of my Father's Death, and I dedicated the show to him. Singing the final aria with the words

Singing Rossini is unspeakably difficult and requires immense amounts of technique, breath, daring, musicality and courage ~ and this is only compounded when you attmept such a high-flying feet at the infamous La Scala. But when it works, you feel as if you're flying. This was one of those nights ... truly unforgettable. *Photos Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

For me, the key to the character of Elena, and the

The multi-faceted relationship between Elena and Uberto continues as he mysteriously speaks of the King and protecting Elena should she need it. This is the start of the Olympian Trio and the battle for the high c's. Rossini at his athletic best! *Photos Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

With the bravissima Daniela Barcellona, bel canto bliss descends for a criminally short duet. This is one of my favorite moments in the opera, and each time the duet finishes I'm sick that it is over! I think it's telling that the duet with Uberto lasts nearly 15 minutes, and this, with her

Elena arrives on the scene for her opening canzonetta,

A different sort of Elena for the Paris Opera ~ an example of how 2 roles can vary quite dramatically, even within the span of 2 months!

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. The final word of Elena's famous rondo, which serves as the finale to the entire opera is

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. Once Elena has found a way to find her inner peace, the world changes and her dreams become a reality, in veritable fairy tail fashion. It is true that the director chooses to alter the ending of the story, so that Elena ends up with the King instead of Rossini's idea of putting her together with Malcom, faithful until the end, but this was the staging. When Elena sings the line in her famous aria,

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. But chaos has ensued. Rodrigo has arrived on the scene and discovered Umberto to be a true threat, and in vintage manly fashion, war breaks out. Elena, in turn, breaks down, and finally realizes that one can never, ever escape the reality around them. One must face it directly and in accepting it, there is a kind of peace that can then be built upon. She has been at war within herself for too long (again, the conflict of being true to herself and following her heart, verses the understandable desire to be dutiful to her father), and it is only when she gives over to herself that she can find peace – and in turn, bring peace to those around her. May 2010. Photography: Monika Rittershaus

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. As Umberto confesses his love for her and demands that she respond, she simply begs him to accept a friendship instead. In this version, she truly loves him, but knows that it is not right, so she continues to fight it. (In Rossini's version, it is, in fact, Malcom that she loves, and she remains true to him until the end.) May 2010. Photography: Monika Rittershaus

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. But Elena is growing up and realizes she cannot escape in her dreams forever. The reality of what she is a part of is crashing down on her, and she is slowly realizing she must take responsibility. May 2010. Photography: Monika Rittershaus

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. As the curtain rises on Act 2, normally the stage is left to Umberto (the King himself) to sing of his love for Elena. But in Christof Loy's version, it is Elena who conjures him up to sing of love and peace. She sets the stage, in her mind, to be the complete opposite of the war and bloodshed that haunts her reality, and for a brief moment tastes tranquility and love. May 2010. Photography: Monika Rittershaus

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. Elena is now faced with her imposed wedding to Rodrigo (the wonderful Gregory Kunde), and has not found a way to speak out against it. She is trying to honor her duty to her father and her clan by marrying a man she does not love. Her pain is immense, as she says,

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. Malcom (Mariselle Martinez), as Elena's

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. After the enormous opening duet between Umberto and Elena finishes, in this production, Elena remains on stage and is confronted with her

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. Elena's world of fantasy has come crashing down as her idyllic

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève ...but she is happy living inside her fantasy where she is not confronted with the conflicts raging around and within her. May 2010. Photography: Monika Rittershaus

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève Elena's fantasy world becomes a kind of reality as the stranger that has happened into her world begins to cross the line between real and imagined. She imagines setting up a home with him, but obviously, he cannot stay in this world for long... May 2010. Photography: Monika Rittershaus

La Donna del Lago, Grand Théâtre de Genève. Elena dreams of love at the start of her journey. In this production by Christof Loy, Elena is a kind of worker, set-up girl in a local lodge, which houses provincial choir rehearsals, meetings, receptions, etc, and houses a small stage where they can put on local shows. She is very much a wall flower, most shy, and while she wants to be a part of things, she instead lives inside her dreams and fantasies, sneaking onto the

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There will always be more freedom to acquire and more truth to uncover.
Joyce DiDonato

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