Anna Netrebko stars as Anne Boleyn in the Donizetti opera, shown at Orcas Center Friday evening

The Met: Live in HD 2012 Encore Season opens with Donizetti’s Anna Bolena this Friday, June 15 at 7:30 pm.

Anna Netrebko opens the Encore season with her stunning portrayal of the ill-fated queen driven insane by her unfaithful king. She sings one of opera’s greatest mad scenes in the Met’s premiere production by David McVicar. Ekaterina Gubanova is her rival, Jane Seymour, Ildar Abdrazakov sings Henry VIII, and Marco Armiliato conducts.

“Russian born Anna Netrebko has taken the opera world by storm. Her beautiful, dark, and distinctive voice together with her elegant stage presence and dazzling charisma have earned both popular and critical acclaim.” The Opera Critic

“Anna Netrebko a house prima donna in the old-world sense: a first among equals.”  NY Times

Tickets for Anna Bolena are $15 for adults and $11 for students. $2 off for Orcas Center members and may be purchased on the website or by calling  376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center box office during box office hours which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon- 4 pm. For more information about Orcas Center 2011 season events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.