Brenda Harris and Bruno Ribeiro in "Roberto Devereux." / Photo by Michal Daniel

The Minnesota Opera just opened its production of Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux." In it, an aging Queen Elizabeth (soprano Brenda Harris) crushes on younger studmuffin Earl of Essex (sung by Portuguese tenor Bruno Ribeiro). The opera's youtube promo has Harris proclaiming herself to be "the original cougar."

Star Tribune critic Larry Fuchsberg calls it a "terrific new staging." Read the full review here.

If you saw Saturday's opening performance, weigh in with your comments here. The opera runs through Feb. 7 at the Ordway Center in St. Paul.

Bruno Ribeiro as the Earl of Essex. / Photo by Michal Daniel

Brenda Harris as Elizabeth. / Photo by Michal Daniel.