This is an academic exploration based on the Wikipedia article for Lucia di Lammermoor. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Lucia's Lament

A Deep Dive into Donizetti's Tragic Opera

Explore the Opera 👇 Uncover the Story 📖

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

The Opera Unveiled

A Masterpiece of Bel Canto

Lucia di Lammermoor is a seminal dramma tragico (tragic opera) in three acts by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. Composed in 1835, it stands as a pinnacle of the bel canto tradition, renowned for its demanding vocal lines and profound emotional depth.

Libretto and Inspiration

The Italian libretto was penned by Salvadore Cammarano, who adapted it loosely from Sir Walter Scott's 1819 historical novel, The Bride of Lammermoor. Scott's narrative, set against the dramatic backdrop of 17th-century Scotland, provided fertile ground for operatic tragedy.

Historical Context

Donizetti composed Lucia during a period of immense creative output and critical acclaim, following the retirement of Rossini and the death of Bellini. The opera resonated with the 19th-century fascination for Scottish history, folklore, and romanticized feuds, elements masterfully woven into Scott's novel and subsequently into Donizetti's score.

The Tragic Narrative

Act I: Seeds of Conflict

Set in the Lammermuir Hills of Scotland, the opera opens amidst a bitter feud between the Ashton and Ravenswood families. Lucia Ashton is secretly in love with Edgardo, the heir to the Ravenswood fortune, whom her brother Enrico despises. Despite Enrico's machinations and Lucia's own fears, she and Edgardo exchange vows of marriage before he departs for France. Lucia's family, however, forces her into a marriage with the wealthy Lord Arturo Bucklaw to secure their own political standing.

Scene 1: Gardens of Lammermoor Castle

Normanno and Enrico's retainers are alerted to an intruder, identified as Edgardo of Ravenswood. Enrico vows to end Lucia's relationship with him.

Scene 2: By a Fountain near the Castle

Lucia awaits Edgardo. In her famous aria, "Regnava nel silenzio," she recounts the legend of a spectral bride murdered on the spot by a jealous Ravenswood ancestor, warning Lucia of impending doom. Edgardo arrives, revealing he must leave for France but wishes to reconcile with Enrico and marry Lucia. They reaffirm their vows, exchanging rings.

Act II: Deception and Despair

Enrico presents Lucia with a forged letter suggesting Edgardo has betrayed her. Under immense pressure from Enrico and her chaplain, Raimondo, Lucia reluctantly agrees to marry Arturo. The wedding ceremony is interrupted by Edgardo's dramatic appearance, leading to the celebrated sextet, "Chi mi frena in tal momento." Edgardo, devastated by Lucia's signature on the marriage contract, curses her before being forced to leave.

Scene 1: Lord Ashton's Apartments

Preparations for Lucia's wedding to Arturo are underway. Enrico manipulates Lucia, using the forged letter and Raimondo's counsel to convince her that renouncing Edgardo is necessary for family survival.

Scene 2: A Hall in the Castle

Arturo arrives. Lucia, appearing distressed, is persuaded to sign the marriage contract. Edgardo suddenly appears, leading to the iconic sextet where each character expresses their turmoil. Raimondo intervenes, revealing Lucia's signed contract to Edgardo, who curses her and departs.

Act III: Madness and Demise

The final act culminates in tragedy. Enrico challenges Edgardo to a duel. Meanwhile, Lucia, driven to madness by the events, hallucinates and murders Arturo on her wedding night. She appears before the guests, reliving her vow to Edgardo in her famous "mad scene." Upon learning of Lucia's death, Edgardo, consumed by grief, takes his own life, seeking reunion with her in the afterlife.

Scene 1: Wolfcrag

Enrico confronts Edgardo, provoking a duel. Edgardo agrees to meet Enrico by the Ravenswood family graveyard.

Scene 2: A Hall

Raimondo interrupts the wedding feast to announce Lucia has killed Arturo. Lucia enters in a state of profound delusion, singing the "mad scene" ("Il dolce suono," followed by "Spargi d'amaro pianto"), believing she is with Edgardo. Enrico witnesses her condition, realizing the extent of the tragedy he orchestrated.

Scene 3: The Ravenswood Family Graveyard

Edgardo, resolved to die, learns of Lucia's death. Overwhelmed by despair, he fatally stabs himself with a dagger, hoping for eternal union with Lucia.

Principal Roles

Cast of Characters

The opera features a cast of distinct characters, each contributing to the unfolding tragedy:

Role Voice Type Premiere Cast (1835)
Miss Lucia Soprano Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani
Lord Enrico Ashton Baritone Domenico Cosselli
Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood Tenor Gilbert Duprez
Lord Arturo Bucklaw Tenor Balestrieri
Raimondo Bidebent (Chaplain) Bass Carlo Ottolini Porto
Alisa (Lucia's Handmaid) Mezzo-soprano Teresa Zappucci
Normanno (Retainer) Tenor Anafesto Rossi

Musical Brilliance

The "Mad Scene"

Act III's "mad scene," featuring Lucia's arias "Il dolce suono" and "Spargi d'amaro pianto," is a tour de force for the soprano. Historically, it has been a vehicle for showcasing exceptional vocal agility and dramatic interpretation, demanding significant coloratura technique and emotional range.

The scene is renowned for its technical difficulty, often featuring elaborate ornamentation, trills, runs, and cadenzas. While Donizetti originally scored the accompaniment for a glass harmonica, modern performances frequently utilize a flute, though revivals of the original instrumentation have occurred. The scene's original key was F major, though it is often transposed to E-flat major. The famous duet cadenza was later added by Mathilde Marchesi for Nellie Melba.

Orchestral and Vocal Texture

The opera's instrumentation includes a standard Romantic orchestra, augmented by a piccolo, harp, and percussion. Donizetti masterfully employs these forces to underscore the drama, from the brooding atmosphere of the Lammermoor setting to the intense psychological turmoil of the protagonists. The vocal writing is characterized by its lyrical beauty, dramatic intensity, and the virtuosic demands typical of the bel canto style.

Key Musical Numbers

Beyond the "mad scene," the opera features numerous celebrated pieces:

Act 1: "Preludio", "Regnava nel silenzio" (Lucia), "Qui di sposa eterna... Ah! Verranno a te sull'aure" (Edgardo, Lucia)

Act 2: "Lucia, fra poco a te verrà", "Il pallor funesto, orrendo" (Lucia), "Chi mi frena in tal momento" (Sextet)

Act 3: "Orrida è questa notte" (Edgardo), "Il dolce suono" (Lucia), "Spargi d'amaro pianto" (Lucia), "Tombe degli avi miei" (Edgardo), "Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali" (Edgardo)

Performance and Legacy

Premiere and Early Reception

Lucia di Lammermoor premiered on 26 September 1835, at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples. While its initial reception in Naples was steady rather than explosive, the opera quickly gained international acclaim. It premiered in London in 1838 and Paris in 1839, with Donizetti himself preparing a French version, Lucie de Lammermoor.

20th Century and Beyond

The opera has remained a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire. It was a staple at the Metropolitan Opera from 1903 to 1972. Post-World War II, legendary sopranos like Maria Callas and Dame Joan Sutherland revitalized the role of Lucia, cementing its status as a benchmark for coloratura sopranos. Its dramatic intensity and musical richness continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Cultural Impact

The opera's influence extends beyond the concert hall. Its famous arias and dramatic moments have been featured in various media, including E.M. Forster's novel Where Angels Fear to Tread, Luc Besson's film The Fifth Element (featuring "Il dolce suono"), and Martin Scorsese's The Departed (highlighting the Act II sextet).

Notable Recordings

Landmark Interpretations

Lucia di Lammermoor boasts an extensive discography, with over twenty commercial studio recordings and numerous live performances. Early complete recordings include Lorenzo Molajoli's 1929 rendition. Maria Callas delivered iconic performances, with notable studio recordings under Tullio Serafin and live recordings conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

Sutherland and Pavarotti

Dame Joan Sutherland, celebrated for her definitive portrayal of Lucia, recorded the role multiple times. Her 1971 Decca recording, featuring Luciano Pavarotti as Edgardo and conducted by Richard Bonynge, is considered a significant interpretation.

The French Version

The French adaptation, Lucie de Lammermoor, offers a distinct perspective with altered scenes and characters, notably isolating Lucia further. While less frequently performed than the Italian original, notable productions and recordings exist, including a 2002 revival featuring Natalie Dessay and Roberto Alagna.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "Lucia Di Lammermoor" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about lucia_di_lammermoor while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

References

References

  1.  Performance statistics. Accessed 13 November 2013
  2.  This synopsis by Simon Holledge was first published on Opera japonica (www.operajaponica.org) and appears here by permission.
  3.  Lucia di Lammermoor Discography on Operadis
A full list of references for this article are available at the Lucia di Lammermoor Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice

This content has been generated by an AI and is intended for educational and informational purposes, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and academic rigor, it does not constitute professional musicological analysis, performance critique, or historical endorsement.

This is not professional advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for expert consultation in musicology, opera performance, or historical research. Always consult authoritative sources and qualified professionals for in-depth study and interpretation.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.