Overview
Synopsis
The tragic love story of Lucia di Lammermoor follows Lucia and Edgardo, members of opposing houses in Scotland who are carrying on a secret affair. Enrico, Lucia’s brother, forces Lucia to marry another nobleman, Arturo, lying to her, saying that Edgardo has betrayed her and married someone else. Lucia is devastated and, so deep in her grief, that she starts to lose her sanity. Edgardo bursts in on the wedding, and curses Lucia for betraying him. After the wedding, Lucia goes mad and kills Arturo in their wedding bed. Edgardo knowing nothing of her madness, vows to a duel with Enrico. Lucia finally dies, imaging she is going to heaven. As her coffin is carried by, Edgardo learns of her death and kills himself to be with her in heaven.
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Context
Based on the historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, The Bride of Lammermoor, Donizetti worked with librettist Salvadore Commarano to adapt the complicated story into a workable libretto for an opera. Donizetti apparently worked on the last act himself, and improved upon the work that Cammarano had given him. Donizetti was extremely intrigued by the Scottish culture, and found it the perfect subject, along with the tale of the tragic lovers, to set to music. The famous “Mad Scene” is one of the
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Act I
The opera opens in the woods in Scotland, near the Lammermoor Castle on Enrico and his soldiers searching for a trespasser on their lands. Since Lammermoor is in a fiery feud with the Ravenwood family, headed by Edgardo, Enrico suspects that Edgardo is the intruder on their property. Normanno, the Captain of the Guard, welcomes Enrico and gives him an update, stating that Lucia has refused to marry Arturo, a wealthy nobleman that will help aid the family name. Raimondo, a chaplain
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Lucia di Lammermoor.
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Songs
Act I
- Prelude and Chorus: Percorriamo le spiagge vicine (Normanno, Chorus)
- Recit and Cavatina: Cruda, funesta smania (Normanno, Enrico, Raimondo)
- Chorus of Huntsman: Come vinti da stanchezza (Chorus)
- Recit and Cavatina: Regnava nel silenzio (Lucia, Alisa)
- Recit and Duet; Finale I: Sulla tomba che rinterra (Lucia, Edgardo)
Act II
- Introduction and Recit: Lucia fra poco a te verrà (Normanno, Enrico)
- Recit and Duet: Il pallor funesto, orrendo (Lucia, Enrico)
- Soffriva nel piano (Lucia)
- Se tradirmi tu potrai (Enrico)
- Recit and Aria: Ah cedi, cedi (Raimondo, Lucia)
- Guidami tu, tu reggimi (Lucia)
- Finale II; Chorus and Cavatina: Per te d’immenso giubilo...Per poco fra le tenebre (Arturo)
- Recit and Sextet: Dov’è Lucia? (Arturo, Enrico, Lucia, Chorus)
- Chi raffrena il mio furore (Enrico, Edgardo)
- Recit and Stretto of Finale II: T’allontana, sciagurato… esci, fuggi (Arturo, Enrico)
Act III
- Storm; Recit and Duet: Orrida è questa notte (Edgardo)
- Qui del padre ancor respira (Edgardo, Enrico)
- Chorus: D’immenso gubilo (Chorus)
- Recit and Chorus: Cessi, ah cessi (Raimondo)
- Dalle stanze, ove Lucia
- Recit and Aria: Alfin son tua (Lucia)
- O gioia che si sente (Lucia)
- Spargi d’amaro pianto (Lucia)
- Recit: Si tragga altrove (Enrico, Raimondo, Normanno)
- Recit and Aria: Finale III: Fra poco a me ricovero (Edgardo, Raimondo, Chorus)
- Tu che a Dio spiegasti l’ali (Edgardo)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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