Lucia di Lammermoor, 2009
Photo: Bruce Fuller
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Lucia di Lammermoor
By Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Salvatore Cammarano
Act One
Scene One
A sense of gloom and foreboding hangs over Lammermoor Castle this night. Lammermoor is ancestral the home of Enrico Ashton and his sister Lucia. Enrico has been engaged in a deadly blood feud with Edgardo of neighboring Ravenswood. Enrico has murdered Edgardo’s father and claimed his land. But the political tides have shifted, and Enrico now finds himself out of favor and near financial ruin.
Captain Normanno has sent Enrico’s guard in pursuit of an intruder that has been detected on Lammermoor Castle grounds. As Enrico enters, he conveys his fear for his estate and fortune. Only an arranged marriage between the wealthy and powerful Lord Arthur Bucklaw and Lucia can save the troubled fortunes of Lammermoor. The chaplain Raimondo tries to convince Enrico that Lucia is unready for such a union and still mourning her mother’s death. Normanno fuels the fire of hate by confiding that he believes that Lucia is in love with Enrico’s arch political enemy, Edgardo. Enrico is full of rage at Lucia’s betrayal. Enrico’s men return and reveal that the intruder tonight has indeed been none other than Edgardo. This information further inflames Enrico, who swears vengeance.
Scene Two
Lucia has slipped away before dawn accompanied by her servant Alisa to meet Edgardo at a fountain in the woods. She tells Alisa that she has seen horrible apparition at the fountain, the ghost of a young girl who has been stabbed to death by her jealous lover. She is filled with a sense of her own dread and doom, but refuses to deny her great love for Edgardo. Edgardo arrives to reveal that he must travel to France on a political mission and wishes to go to Enrico to sue for peace and Lucia’s hand. Knowing the depth of her brother’s hatred, the fearful Lucia begs Edgardo to keep their liaison secret, and he agrees. The couple pledges their undying love with an exchange of rings.
Act Two
Scene One
It is the day Lucia is pledged to marry Lord Arturo. Months have passed and Normanno and Enrico have plotted to keep all correspondence between the two lovers secret. Enrico has forged a letter from Edgardo stating that he has taken a new love. Lucia remains firm in her loyalty but is badgered by her brother to the point of distraction. She is accused of disloyalty and is hounded until she agrees to do her family duty and marry Arturo. This she does in a state of great misery and agitation.
Scene Two
As the wedding guests arrive, Enrico tries to make Arturo believe that Lucia’s misery results from grief over her mother’s death. Lucia enters and reluctantly signs the marriage contract—just as Edgardo pushes his way into the room to claim her as his own. The ensuing sextet reveals the anguished emotions of the protagonists. When Raimondo shows Edgardo the marriage contract, he tears off Lucia’s ring, curses the helpless Lucia, and flees.
Act Three
Scene One
At Lammermoor the wedding guests are celebrating, when Raimondo enters in disarray to relate horrifying news. Lucia has gone mad and slain Lord Arturo. Lucia enters doused in blood. In her derangement she rhapsodizes over her love for Edgardo. She imagines that this is their wedding night, and she recounts their meetings and their vows. Enrico returns and the two share a final terrible exchange. In anguish Lucia collapses as the guests watch in horror.
Scene Two
At the Ravenswood tombs Edgardo awaits Enrico. He mourns his loss of Lucia’s love and now craves death at the hands of her brother. Guests pass from Lammermoor and tell him that his was the last name on Lucia’s lips. Raimondo confirms that Lucia is dead. Because he can no longer reach her in this life, Edgardo pulls his dagger and joins her in the next.
- Synopsis courtesy of Ruth Zaleski
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