Enrico wants sister Lucia to marry Arturo for political gain. Lucia loves his enemy Edgardo. When Edgardo is away, Enrico shows her a forged letter saying Edgardo is now married and to forget him. She marries Arturo, but tragedies compound.
Director: Kirk Browning
Conductor: Richard Bonynge
Stars: Joan Sutherland, Alfredo Kraus, Pablo Elvira.
First performed 1835.
Set in 1669 Scotland.
From the novel by Walter Scott, The Bride of Lammermoor.
Roles, from Simon's 100 Great Operas:
Lord Enrico Ashton of Lammermoor, br
Lucia, his sister, s
Alisa, her companion, s or ms
Edgardo, master of Ravenswood, t
Lord Arturo Bucklaw, t
Raimondo, chaplain, b
Normanno, follower of Ashton, t
I studied the synopsis in Simon before watching, and felt little compulsion to watch and read the subtitles. There was a sextet around the 1 hour mark that sounded familiar and gorgeous, making me think "ah, here's why this opera is popular". Although Simon promotes other musical segments, no other grabbed me like this did.
JS hits some beautiful high notes.
The production is drab, and the tenor men are mostly indistinguishable.
The music did not compel me, nor was the story terribly interesting. I didn't watch well enough to find out why/how Lucia dies; I read 3 synopses and none explained it. I don't even want to replay the 3rd act to see if I can find out. Maybe next time.
Met Opera, cond. Bonynge; 7-
