LuciaDiLammermoor

Lucia di Lammermoor

A dramma Tragico (tragic opera) in three acts.

Gaetano Donizetti

Libretto: Salvadore Cammarano

This "Scottish Opera" is loosly based on the novel

The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott

(Article written by the webmaster, with assistance from Patrick Healy, for exclusive use within

The Anthony Kearns Official Website. We send our sincere gratitude to Mr. Healy....8.25.2010)

When Lucia premiered on September 26, 1835 in the Teatro San Carlos in Naples, Donizetti, outliving Rossini and Bellini, was considered the prevailing genius of Italian Opera. At the time, there was considerable interest in Europe regarding the intriguing history and culture of Scotland: the romance of its feuds and folklore. Scott tapped into that interest, as did Donizetti. The tragic storyline closely resembles that of Romeo & Juliet: star-crossed lovers who end their lives through the deceit of enemies determined to keep them apart.

Lucia, for years merely considered a showpiece for coloratura sopranos, came into its own after WWII when notable and technically excellent sopranos like Maria Callas and Dame Joan Sutherland revived its glory. Since its restoration to popularity, Lucia di Lammermoor has become a staple in operatic repertoire. It ranks 13th on the list of the 20 most-performed operas in North America.

"The mad scene for the soprano is one of the highlights of the opera although it is followed by two beautiful arias for the tenor right at the end, Fra poco a me ricovero and Tu che Dio spiegasti l'ali. These two arias follow one another with chorus and comprise the final scene of the opera. If performed well, they can round off the opera in a thrilling manner.

Anthony is vocally and dramatically suited to interpret the role of Edgardo in Donizetti's opera Lucia di Lammermoor. The music is typical of the bel canto compositions around that time and his voice will easily encompass the vocal demands of this difficult role. I greatly look forward to hearing him sing this music and I have no doubt that this will be his most sucessful operatic appearance so far." *

Cast of Characters

Lucia ~ Coloratura Soprano

Lord Enirco Ashton, Lord of Lammermoor and Lucia’s brother ~ Baritone

Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood ~ Tenor

Lord Arturo Bucklaw, Lucia’s Bridgroom ~ Tenor

Raimondo Bidebent, a Calvinist chaplin ~ Bass

Alisa, Lucia’s handmaiden ~ Mezzo

Normanno, Hunstman and retainer of Enrico ~ Tenor

PLOT

Two Scottish families, the Ravenswoods and the Ashtons of Lammermoor, are engaged in a long feud. The Ashtons have taken Ravenswood Castle and dominate their ancestral lands. Edgardo, Master of Ravenswood and last surviving member of the clan, has been banished and is living in loneliness at the Wolf’s Crag, the tower by the sea.

However, as the opera opens, Enrico (Lord Henry Ashton of Lammermoor) is in political disfavor and decides he must unite his family with Lord Arthur Bucklaw by forcing his sister, Lucia (Lucy Ashton) to marry Bucklaw.

Act 1

Scene 1: The grounds of Ravenswood Castle

The Captain of the castle guard, Normanno, and other retainers search for an intruder. He tells Enrico that Edgardo often comes to the castle to meet Lucia. Enrico, swearing vengeance, is determined to end the relationship between his sister and his enemy!

Scene 2: By a fountain at the entrance to the park near the castle

Lucia awaits a rendezvous with her lover, Edgardo. Lucia’s aria, Regnava nel Silenzio, tells her handmaid, Alisa, that she has seen the ghost of a girl killed on the very same spot by a jealous Ravenswood ancestor. Her ghost haunts the fountain, showing her the tragic ending to her love affair. Alisa insists that the apparition has come to warn her – she must give up Edgardo! Edgardo enters and explains to his love that he must leave immediately for France on a political mission. He wants to make peace with Enrico so he can marry Lucia upon his return. Fearing her brother, she begs Edgardo to keep their love secret, insisting they take a sworn vow of marriage and exchange rings privately. It is done; Edgardo departs.

ACT 2

Scene 1: Rooms in Lammermoor

Enrico and Normanno plot to force a wedding between Lucia and Arturo. Knowing full well that Lucia won’t submit to the wedding, Normanno shows her a forged letter, supposedly from Edgardo, to prove that Edgardo has pledged to another woman. Lucia is devastated. Raimondo, Lucia's chaplain and tutor, advises that she renounce Edgardo. To aleviate the family’s dire straits, she should marry Arturo.

Scene 2: A hall in the castle

Guests begin to arrive for the nuptuals. Arturo arrives for his marriage, pledging restoration of the Ashton’s standings. Lucia acts strangely melancholy, distressing Arutro. Enrico excuses it as saddness over her mother’s death. After Arturo signs the marriage contract, Lucia reluctantly signs. That very second, the dashing Edgardo rushes into the hall. Raimondo interceeds to prevent a fight, showing him Lucia's signature on the contract. Edgardo curses her, demanding the return of his ring. He grinds it into the ground, cursing her as he is forced from the castle.

Act 3

Scene 1: The Wolf’s Crag

Edgardo broods. As a storm tears at the landscape, Enrico comes to Wolf’s Crag to challenge Edgardo to a duel. Enrico taunts him, insisting that Lucia is enjoying her bridal bed. Edgardo agrees to fight him at dawn in the Ravenswood graveyard, near Wolf's Crag.

Scene 2: A Hall in the castle

Raimondo interrupts the marriage celebrations -- Lucia has gone mad! She has killed Arturo. Lucia enters … in her madness, she imagines she is married to Edgardo, not comprehending what she has done (Il dolce suono). Enrico rushes in – he can’t believe the depths of her desparate condition. Believing she is in heaven, she collapses, dying.

Scene 3: The graveyard of the Ravenswood family

Edgardo learns that Lucia is dying - Raimondo comes to confirm: she has died. Hoping to be reunited with Lucia in heaven, Edgardo commits suicide as her bier is carried past.

*Written and contributed by Patrick Healy.

Index to reviews, photos, posters of this opera as we move toward the January presentation in Naples.