Image caption Diana Damrau has played the role of Lucia di Lammermoor seven times The opening night of a production of Lucia di Lammermoor has been booed by the audience at the Royal Opera House. Directed by Peter Butler. With Richard Greager, Sergei Baigildin, Robin Donald, Malcolm Donnelly. In July 1835 Donizetti was to have staged the first of the three new operas for which he had signed a contract with the management of the San Carlo theatre; but things, as so often happens in the world of opera, did not work out as the composer had intended.
- By Kirby Haugland Ph.D. Student in Musicology. Long before Gaetano Donizetti and Salvatore Cammerano collaborated to create Lucia di Lammermoor in 1835, Scotland was already a rich source for composers' romantic imaginations.William Shakespeare's Macbeth, with its magic, murder, and intrigue among the moors, was popular throughout Europe.Felix Mendelsohn's travels to Scotland inspired.
- Seattle Opera Lucia di Lammermoor Check out the schedule of all upcoming broadcasts and be sure to tune in to King FM 98.1 on Saturdays at 10 AM. If you are enjoying our digital opera offerings, please make a donation to support the artists and staff that are collaborating to bring you opera in new ways.
| Lucia di Lammermoor | |
|---|---|
| by Gaetano Donizetti | |
| Genre | Opera in 3 acts |
| Librettist | Salvatore Cammarano |
| Language | Italian |
| Premiere | Naples, Italy September 26, 1835 |
| Other |
|
Lucia di Lammermoor is an Italian opera in three acts. Salvatore Cammarano wrote the libretto (story and words). Gaetano Donizetti wrote the music. The opera is based on Sir Walter Scott's novel, The Bride of Lammermoor.
Discover releases, reviews, track listings, recommendations, and more about Donizetti., Tullio Serafin, Maria Meneghini Callas., Giuseppe Di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Orchestra. And Chorus Of The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Lucia Di Lammermoor at Discogs.
The opera was first performed on September 26, 1835 at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy. Fanny Tacchinardi-Persiani played the title role. The opera is celebrated for the sextet 'Chi mi frena' and Lucia's lengthy Mad Scene, a technically and dramatically demanding double-aria tour de force. The opera was a great success. Every number received a tremendous ovation. Donizetti and the cast were called forth for numerous curtain calls.[1] The opera is number 19 on the Operabase list of the most performed operas worldwide.[2]
Characters[change | change source]
- Lucia, an aristocratic young woman in love with Edgardo (soprano)
- Edgardo di Ravenswood, Lucia's beloved (tenor)
- Enrico Ashton, Lucia's brother (baritone)
- Arturo Bucklaw, a rich lord and Lucia's bridgegroom (tenor)
- Raimondo Bidebent, a Calvinistchaplain (bass)
- Alisa, Lucia's maid (mezzo-soprano)
- Normanno, Enrico's retainer (tenor)
Story[change | change source]
Background. The story is set in the early 18th century at Lammermoor Castle in Scotland. Two noble families — the Ashtons and the Ravenswoods — are bitter enemies. They have very nearly exterminated one another with constant warring. Enrico is almost broke. He has arranged a marriage for Lucia with a rich man. He hopes this marriage will relieve his money troubles. He is aware however that Lucia is in love Edgardo.
Act One. Normanno and others search the castle gardens for an intruder. They believe it is Edgardo on his way to meet Lucia. Enrico has marriage plans for Lucia, and vows to end her affair with his mortal enemy. Lucia waits for Edgardo in another part of the garden. She says she has seen the ghost of a maiden who died for love. Her maid believes this is a bad omen. Edgardo enters. He tells Lucia he must leave for France on family business. He hopes to make his peace with Enrico and marry Lucia. They exchange rings.
Act Two. Enrico has decided Lucia will marry Arturo at once. He knows she will resist, so he shows her a forged letter. It says that Edgardo has found a new lover. Lucia is crushed. Raimondo urges her to marry Arturo. Arturo arrives, and, with the stunned Lucia, signs the marriage contract. Edgardo suddenly enters and discovers Lucia's signature on the marriage contract. He curses her, and throws his ring on the floor.
Act Three. Misfits songbook tabs. The wedding has taken place. Arturo and Lucia have retired to the bridal chamber. Raimondo interrupts the festivities in the Great Hall. He says Lucia is insane and has stabbed her husband to death. Lucia enters carrying a dagger. Her gown is smeared with blood. She acts disoriented. She imagines she is beside Edgardo, and soon to be married to him. She collapses and is carried away. Outside the castle, Edgardo learns that Lucia has died. He stabs himself, hoping to be united in death with Lucia.
Notes[change | change source]
References[change | change source]
- 'Opera Statistics'. Operabase. Retrieved 8 May 2011.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- Woodstra, Chris, et al. 2005. All Music Guide to Classical Music. All Media Guide,LLC. p. 379.
Other websites[change | change source]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lucia di Lammermoor. |
- Lucia di Lammermoor synopsis (Metropolitan Opera)
Full synopsis: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera
COMPOSER
Gaetano Donizetti
LIBRETTIST
Salvadore Cammarano
Lucia Di Lammermoor
Sung in Italian with English supertitles
ACT I
Scotland, mid-19th century. An intruder has been spotted at night on the grounds of Lammermoor Castle, home of Enrico Ashton. Normanno, the captain of the guard, sends Enrico's men off in search of the stranger. Enrico arrives, troubled. His family's fortunes are in danger, and only the arranged marriage of his sister, Lucia, with Lord Arturo can save them. The chaplain Raimondo, Lucia's tutor, reminds Enrico that the girl is still mourning the death of her mother. But Normanno reveals that Lucia is concealing a great love for Edgardo di Ravenswood, leader of the Ashtons' political enemies. Enrico is furious and swears vengeance. The men return and explain that they have seen and identified the intruder as Edgardo. Enrico's fury increases.
Just before dawn at a fountain in the woods nearby, Lucia and her companion Alisa are waiting for Edgardo. Lucia relates that, at the fountain, she has seen the ghost of a girl who was stabbed by her jealous lover. Alisa urges her to leave Edgardo, but Lucia insists that her love for Edgardo brings her great joy and may overcome all. Edgardo arrives and explains that he must go to France on a political mission. Before he leaves he wants to make peace with Enrico. Lucia, however, asks Edgardo to keep their love a secret. Edgardo agrees, and they exchange rings and vows of devotion.
ACT II
Lucia Di Lammermoor Libretto
| Lucia di Lammermoor | |
|---|---|
| by Gaetano Donizetti | |
| Genre | Opera in 3 acts |
| Librettist | Salvatore Cammarano |
| Language | Italian |
| Premiere | Naples, Italy September 26, 1835 |
| Other |
|
Lucia di Lammermoor is an Italian opera in three acts. Salvatore Cammarano wrote the libretto (story and words). Gaetano Donizetti wrote the music. The opera is based on Sir Walter Scott's novel, The Bride of Lammermoor.
Discover releases, reviews, track listings, recommendations, and more about Donizetti., Tullio Serafin, Maria Meneghini Callas., Giuseppe Di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Orchestra. And Chorus Of The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Lucia Di Lammermoor at Discogs.
The opera was first performed on September 26, 1835 at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy. Fanny Tacchinardi-Persiani played the title role. The opera is celebrated for the sextet 'Chi mi frena' and Lucia's lengthy Mad Scene, a technically and dramatically demanding double-aria tour de force. The opera was a great success. Every number received a tremendous ovation. Donizetti and the cast were called forth for numerous curtain calls.[1] The opera is number 19 on the Operabase list of the most performed operas worldwide.[2]
Characters[change | change source]
- Lucia, an aristocratic young woman in love with Edgardo (soprano)
- Edgardo di Ravenswood, Lucia's beloved (tenor)
- Enrico Ashton, Lucia's brother (baritone)
- Arturo Bucklaw, a rich lord and Lucia's bridgegroom (tenor)
- Raimondo Bidebent, a Calvinistchaplain (bass)
- Alisa, Lucia's maid (mezzo-soprano)
- Normanno, Enrico's retainer (tenor)
Story[change | change source]
Background. The story is set in the early 18th century at Lammermoor Castle in Scotland. Two noble families — the Ashtons and the Ravenswoods — are bitter enemies. They have very nearly exterminated one another with constant warring. Enrico is almost broke. He has arranged a marriage for Lucia with a rich man. He hopes this marriage will relieve his money troubles. He is aware however that Lucia is in love Edgardo.
Act One. Normanno and others search the castle gardens for an intruder. They believe it is Edgardo on his way to meet Lucia. Enrico has marriage plans for Lucia, and vows to end her affair with his mortal enemy. Lucia waits for Edgardo in another part of the garden. She says she has seen the ghost of a maiden who died for love. Her maid believes this is a bad omen. Edgardo enters. He tells Lucia he must leave for France on family business. He hopes to make his peace with Enrico and marry Lucia. They exchange rings.
Act Two. Enrico has decided Lucia will marry Arturo at once. He knows she will resist, so he shows her a forged letter. It says that Edgardo has found a new lover. Lucia is crushed. Raimondo urges her to marry Arturo. Arturo arrives, and, with the stunned Lucia, signs the marriage contract. Edgardo suddenly enters and discovers Lucia's signature on the marriage contract. He curses her, and throws his ring on the floor.
Act Three. Misfits songbook tabs. The wedding has taken place. Arturo and Lucia have retired to the bridal chamber. Raimondo interrupts the festivities in the Great Hall. He says Lucia is insane and has stabbed her husband to death. Lucia enters carrying a dagger. Her gown is smeared with blood. She acts disoriented. She imagines she is beside Edgardo, and soon to be married to him. She collapses and is carried away. Outside the castle, Edgardo learns that Lucia has died. He stabs himself, hoping to be united in death with Lucia.
Notes[change | change source]
References[change | change source]
- 'Opera Statistics'. Operabase. Retrieved 8 May 2011.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- Woodstra, Chris, et al. 2005. All Music Guide to Classical Music. All Media Guide,LLC. p. 379.
Other websites[change | change source]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lucia di Lammermoor. |
- Lucia di Lammermoor synopsis (Metropolitan Opera)
Full synopsis: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera
COMPOSER
Gaetano Donizetti
LIBRETTIST
Salvadore Cammarano
Lucia Di Lammermoor
Sung in Italian with English supertitles
ACT I
Scotland, mid-19th century. An intruder has been spotted at night on the grounds of Lammermoor Castle, home of Enrico Ashton. Normanno, the captain of the guard, sends Enrico's men off in search of the stranger. Enrico arrives, troubled. His family's fortunes are in danger, and only the arranged marriage of his sister, Lucia, with Lord Arturo can save them. The chaplain Raimondo, Lucia's tutor, reminds Enrico that the girl is still mourning the death of her mother. But Normanno reveals that Lucia is concealing a great love for Edgardo di Ravenswood, leader of the Ashtons' political enemies. Enrico is furious and swears vengeance. The men return and explain that they have seen and identified the intruder as Edgardo. Enrico's fury increases.
Just before dawn at a fountain in the woods nearby, Lucia and her companion Alisa are waiting for Edgardo. Lucia relates that, at the fountain, she has seen the ghost of a girl who was stabbed by her jealous lover. Alisa urges her to leave Edgardo, but Lucia insists that her love for Edgardo brings her great joy and may overcome all. Edgardo arrives and explains that he must go to France on a political mission. Before he leaves he wants to make peace with Enrico. Lucia, however, asks Edgardo to keep their love a secret. Edgardo agrees, and they exchange rings and vows of devotion.
ACT II
Lucia Di Lammermoor Libretto
It is some months later, on the day that Lucia is to marry Arturo. Normanno assures Enrico that he has successfully intercepted all correspondence between the lovers and has in addition procured a forged letter, supposedly from Edgardo, that indicates he is involved with another woman. As the captain goes off to welcome the groom, Lucia enters, continuing to defy her brother. Enrico shows her the forged letter. Lucia is heartbroken, but Enrico insists that she marry Arturo to save the family. He leaves, and Raimondo, convinced no hope remains for Lucia's love, reminds her of her late mother and urges her to do a sister's duty. She finally agrees.
As the wedding guests arrive in the Great Hall, Enrico explains to Arturo that Lucia is still in a state of melancholy because of her mother's death. The girl enters and reluctantly signs the marriage contract. Suddenly Edgardo bursts in, claiming his bride. The entire company is overcome by shock. Arturo and Enrico order Edgardo to leave, but he insists that he and Lucia are engaged. When Raimondo shows him the contract with Lucia's signature, Edgardo curses her and tears his ring from her finger before finally leaving in despair and rage.
ACT III
Lammermoor Opera
Enrico visits Edgardo at his dilapidated home and taunts him with the news that Lucia and Arturo have just been married. The two men agree to meet at dawn by the tombs of the Ravenswoods for a duel.
Back at Lammermoor, Raimondo interrupts the wedding festivities with the news that Lucia has gone mad and killed Arturo. Lucia enters, covered in blood. Moving between tenderness, joy, and terror, she recalls her meetings with Edgardo and imagines she is with him on their wedding night. She vows she will never be happy in heaven without her lover and that she will see him there. When Enrico returns, he is enraged at Lucia's behavior but soon realizes that she has lost her senses. After a confused and violent exchange with her brother, Lucia collapses.
Lucia Di Lammermoor Synopsis
In the graveyard, Edgardo laments that he has to live without Lucia and awaits his duel with Enrico, which he hopes will end his own life. Guests coming from Lammermoor Castle tell him that the dying Lucia has called his name. As he is about to rush to her, Raimondo announces that she has died. Determined to join Lucia in heaven, Edgardo stabs himself.
