Lucia di Lammermoor

October 15. 2016 - November 06. 2016

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October 15. 2016 - November 06. 2016

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New-to-Chicago Production Lucia di Lammermoor

If you cherish the classic tale of star-crossed love in Romeo and Juliet, then Lucia di Lammermoor will sweep you away with its intense romance. The most famous of all bel canto operas, you’ll be transfixed by the passion of the heroine and her lover Edgardo (you’ll long remember their heavenly love duet) and the vocal fireworks of Lucia’s dazzling mad scene, as she breaks your heart while sending spectacular coloratura and high notes soaring. This beautiful period production features a star cast that is not to be missed.

Language: Performed in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 2 hours 55 minutes including 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

Lucia di Lammermoor videos

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See what critics are saying about Lucia di Lammermoor at Lyric Opera

If you cherish the classic tale of star-crossed love in Romeo and Juliet, then Lucia di Lammermoor will sweep you away with its intense romance. This beautiful period production features a star cast that is not to be missed.

Conductor Enrique Mazzola on the magic of Lucia di Lammermoor

A Conversation with Anthony Freud and Albina Shagimuratova

A Taste of Lucia di Lammermoor

Lucia di Lammermoor at Lyric Opera

Lyric's Costume Director, Maureen Reilly, on the costumes of Lucia di Lammermoor

Costume Director, Maureen Reilly, talks about the beautiful costumes of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Lucia di Lammermoor Trailer

3 Things to Listen for with Sir Andrew Davis - Lucia di Lammermoor

Lucia di Lammermoor

by Gaetano Donizetti

Recording by Erato – Damrau, Calleja, Tézier, Testé, cond. Lopez Cobos.
Musical excerpts provided through generous arrangement with Warner Classics, Official Education and Promotion Music Provider for Lyric Opera of Chicago.

"Chi mi frena in tal momento?"

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"Spargi d'amaro pianto”

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Lucia di Lammermoor

by Gaetano Donizetti

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2016/17 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Musical excerpts provided through generous arrangement with Warner Classics, Official Education and Promotion Music Provider for Lyric Opera of Chicago. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.

Commentary by Nicholas Ivor Martin

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Lucia di Lammermoor articles

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Lyric's Lucia Stars Superb Slavic Singers

Lyric audiences are in for vocal fireworks galore when Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova and Polish tenor Piotr Beczała portray doomed Scottish lovers Lucy of Lammermoor and Edgar of Ravenswood, aka Lucia and Edgardo, in this brilliant Italian opera.

Lucia di Lammermoor — Experience the Drama!

The most famous of all bel canto operas, Lucia di Lammermoor offers the perfect combination of vocal fireworks, a ravishing score, and a stunning story of intense romance, passion and rage. Lyric's production features the artist that has made Lucia one of her signature roles, Albina Shagimuratova.

Synopsis

Lucia and Edgardo are in love. Edgardo, the last of his family, is the enemy of Enrico, Lucia’s brother. While Edgardo is away on a secret diplomatic mission, Enrico – having learned that his sister is in love with Edgardo – uses forged letters to make her believe that Edgardo has been unfaithful. Enrico then forces his sister into a marriage with Lord Arturo Bucklaw that will greatly benefit their family. Before the wedding guests, Lucia has just signed the marriage contract when Edgardo appears and denounces her. Will Lucia resign herself to a loveless fate, or will she take her revenge, even if it drives her to madness?

TIME: Early 18th century
PLACE: Scotland

In a feud between the Scottish families of Ravenswood and Lammermoor, Enrico Ashton of Lammermoor wrongfully holds the estates of Edgardo of Ravenswood. In addition, Enrico’s political activity against the king has placed him in a perilous situation, and he has resolved to reestablish his family’s position by marrying his sister Lucia to Lord Arturo Bucklaw.

Scene 1: The vicinity of Ravenswood Castle.

Normanno orders his henchmen to discover the identity of the man whom Lucia is secretly meeting each day before dawn. Enrico is frustrated because he cannot persuade his sister to accept a marriage that will save him politically, and Normanno tells him his suspicions concerning Lucia’s lover. Enrico’s outburst is interrupted by the return of his men confirming that Lucia’s lover is in fact his enemy Edgardo.

Scene 2: The grounds at Lammermoor Castle.

Lucia awaits Edgardo in the woods by a fountain whose legend of a bloody phantom alternately fascinates and repels her. Edgardo arrives with the news that he must leave for France. He tells Lucia that before departing he wishes to ask Enrico for her hand in marriage. Terrified of her brother’s reaction, Lucia begs him not to. She tries to calm him when he renews his vows of vengeance upon her family. They solemnly pledge their troth by exchanging rings and vows of eternal fidelity, promising to write during their separation.
Scene 1. Enrico’s chambers.

In his fury at his sister’s betrayal, Enrico has concluded marriage preparations for the union of his sister with Arturo. Despite his insistence, Enrico has failed to secure Lucia’s consent to this arranged marriage. Lucia remains obstinate even when presented with a letter, forged in Edgardo’s handwriting, announcing his marriage to another woman. Enrico explodes in rage against his sister. At Raimondo’s fervent pleading, the exhausted Lucia finally gives in.

Scene 2. The Great Hall of Lammermoor Castle.

The wedding party has assembled and Lucia has scarcely signed the marriage contract when Edgardo bursts into the castle demanding an explanation. Upon seeing the contract with Lucia’s signature, he curses her and her family forever. Enrico finally places his sister’s hand in Arturo’s.
Scene 1. The castle tower at Ravenswood.

In a tower of Edgardo’s gloomy castle, Enrico arrives at night to challenge him to a duel the next morning.

Scene 2. The Great Hall of Lammermoor Castle.

The wedding celebration is in progress when Raimondo brings the terrible news that Lucia has slain her bridegroom and has gone mad. In her delirium, Lucia wanders into the hall and imagines a wedding ceremony with her beloved Edgardo. Enrico returns and finds his sister insane. He suffers remorse as she loses all reason while begging Edgardo to pray at her tomb.

Scene 3. The Ravenswood cemetery.

Unaware of all that has happened, Edgardo imagines Lucia’s happiness with Arturo and berates her for her infidelity. A party of mourners leaving the castle brings word of Lucia’s misfortune. As Edgardo sets off to see her one last time, Raimondo stops him with the news of Lucia’s death. In his grief, Edgardo stabs himself, hoping to be reunited with Lucia in heaven.

Reprinted by permission of San Francisco Opera.

Program book

Go inside this production of Lucia di Lammermoor with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Albina Shagimuratova

Lucia

Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova's Lyric credits include Violetta Valéry/ La Traviata (2018|19); Elvira/I puritani (2017|18).

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Piotr Beczała

Edgardo

Beczała celebrated his 20th stage anniversary in 2012 with a concert at Warsaw’s famous Teatr Wielki.

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Quinn Kelsey

Enrico

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Hawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey's credits include over 18 roles at Lyric since 2003/04.

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Adrian Sâmpetrean

Raimondo

Bass Adrian Sampetrean's Lyric credits include Colline/La boheme (2018|19) and Sir Giorgio Walton/I puritani (2017|18)

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Enrique Mazzola

Conductor

As of July 1, 2021, Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola is music director of Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is only the third person to serve in this capacity at Lyric, following the tenures of Sir Andrew Davis and the late Bruno Bartoletti.

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Graham Vick

Director

Director Graham Vick is a past winner of the Italian music critics’ Abbiati Prize (six times), Britain’s South Bank Show Award for Opera (twice), and Spain’s Campoamor Prize, Vick is also a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s 2009 Birthday Honours List.

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Paul Brown

Designer

Welsh designer Paul Brown's Lyric credits include Lucia di Lammermoor (2016|17) and Thaïs (2002-03).

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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