ABSTRACT
Donizetti’s certain serious operas employed the ostensibly secure themes of the Moorish kingdom and the history of England. This study examines them on chronological order revealing an evolutionary course. Donizetti started by using stereotypes and applying happy endings but he gradually developed a mature romantic style expressing passion and suffering and employing mad scenes and tragic endings representing true romantic catharsis. Thus, although Donizetti was not a great renovator, he ultimately influenced the development of romantic opera.
