Premiere on 13. June 2025

In the midst of the War of the Puritans against the royal Stuarts in 17th century England. In the 19th century, Elvira, the daughter of the Puritan leader Lord Walton, loves the king-loyal Lord Arturo Talbot. When Enrichetta, the widow of the executed king, is to be taken to London as a prisoner and executed there, Arturo manages to save her and bring her to safety. This happens on the fixed wedding day, with the help of the Puritan Sir Riccardo, who also loves Elvira. He can now convince her that Arturo has left her because of another woman, whereupon Elvira loses her mind in desperation. Arturo is sentenced to death by parliament. Out of love for Elvira, he returns to England and can barely explain to his bride the reasons for his sudden departure before he is arrested. Finally, a messenger brings the news of the final victory of the Puritans and announces the amnesty for the royals. This good news causes Elvira’s healing and nothing stands in the way of the wedding.

Since its acclaimed premiere in Paris in 1835, “I puritani” has been one of Vincenzo Bellini’s most original and important masterpieces, a bel canto opera characterised by intoxicating beauty and dramatic intensity.

Performance duration: 2 hours 30 minutes – including a break

For the opera “Puritani” by Vincenzo Bellini, Johanna Röhrig will be heard as concertmaster of the Rungholt Ensemble.

The opera will be performed in concertant chamber orchestra version at the AlleeTheatre Altona under the direction of Ettore Prandi.