From the Nashville Opera
The Bloody Tragedy Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti
The bloody tragedy Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) originally premiered in 1835. It is a Romantic opera is loosely based on the novel by Sir Walter Scott, The Bride of Lammermoor, and is known for its lush music and the histrionics of the Mad Scene, one of opera’s most technically challenging soprano coloratura roles. The story follows two star-crossed lovers. On one side, we find a young girl, Lucia Ashton, and her failing aristocratic family, in financial crisis and feuding with another family, the Ravenswoods. The other star-crossed lover is Edgardo Ravenwood. Despite this, after a series of unfortunate events and deceptions, Lucia is manipulated into marrying a man she does not know, and is heartbroken. Chaos ensues. Set in the Scottish moorlands, the costumes, originally designed for the Utah Opera by Susan Allred, and the overall color scheme were comprised of rich green, crimson, blue, velvets, and plaid; they were immediate eye catchers. The colors and red hair of siblings Enrico and Lucia transported the audience back in time. The lighting, by designer Barry Steele, played a large role in creating the ambiance for each scene. From lighting up the stained-glass windows in the first scene, toRead More
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