Donizetti: Anna Bolena - Act II | Netrebko, Garanča - Pidò (Wiener Staatsoper 2011)

ACT II - The Tower of London
Anna is imprisoned in the Tower. She prays for peace and solace. Giovanna appears and informs Anna that the king, and her successor, will spare her life if she confesses her guilt. When Giovanna admits that she is to be the new queen, Anna demands that she leave. Giovanna prostrates herself and begs for forgiveness. News arrives that Smeton has confessed to having had an affair with Anna, having been told that this would spare her life. Enrico bursts in and repeats Smeton's confession. Anna turns it back on the king. Giovanna confronts Enrico, and urges forgiveness and caution.

In the Tower Anna recalls her childhood home, and the simplicity of her first love, and as she is summoned to the scaffold she sings a prayer. As cannon fire signals the marriage of Enrico and Giovanna, Anna calls on God to have mercy on the guilty couple.

Subtitles: Italian, English, German, French,Spanish (Click on CC to switch on the subtitles).