Lucia di Lammermoor is an opera in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. The libretto, by Salvatore Cammarano, is based on Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor. Sydney Opera House: one of the worlds most recognizable opera houses and landmarks Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content or primary entertainment is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the... Gaetano Donizetti Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (29 November 1797 – 8 April 1848) was a famous Italian opera composer. ... A libretto is the complete body of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or secular oratorio and cantata, musical, and ballet. ... Salvatore Cammarano (March 19, 1801-July 17, 1852) was an Italian librettist and playwright known for creating Lucia di Lammermoor. ... For the first Premier of Saskatchewan see Thomas Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott (August 14, 1771 - September 21, 1832) was a prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet popular throughout Europe. ... The Bride of Lammermoor is an historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, set in Scotland in the reign of Queen Anne. ...

The opera premiered in Naples on September 26, 1835. Its "mad scene" contains some of the highest vocal notes of any standard opera, two E-flats. (Mozart's often-performed Singspiel "Die Zauberflöte" contains a higher note, F, in its "Queen of the Night" aria) However, the E-flats are not a written part of the Donizetti music, like the whole "cadenza" with flute, and have been omitted by some performers, most notably Maria Callas. (Donizetti also produced a version in French, Lucie de Lammermoor, for the Paris Opera in 1839.) Naples (Italian Napoli, Neapolitan Nàpule, from Greek Νέα Πόλις - Néa Pólis - meaning New City; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is the largest city in southern Italy and capital of Campania Region and the Province of Naples. ... September 26 is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 96 days remaining. ... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Singspiel (song-play) is a form of German-language music drama, similar to modern musical theater, though it is also referred to as a type of operetta or opera. ... Die Zauberflöte (en: The Magic Flute) is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. ... Maria Callas on book cover Maria Callas (Greek name: Μαρία Καλογεροπούλου) (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American-born Greek soprano and perhaps the best-known opera singer of the post-World War II period. ...

For decades Lucia was considered to be a mere showpiece for coloratura sopranos and was a little-known part of the operatic repertory. However, it was revived after World War II by sopranos such as Maria Callas and has since earned a place in the standard operatic repertory. Coloratura is an ornate, flowery style in classical singing. ... Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... Maria Callas on book cover Maria Callas (Greek name: Μαρία Καλογεροπούλου) (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American-born Greek soprano and perhaps the best-known opera singer of the post-World War II period. ... This page lists famous operas arranged by composer. ...

The "mad scene" was re-popularized when it was featured in the film The Fifth Element in a performance by the Albanian opera singer Inva Mula-Tchako, who voiced the diva Plavalaguna (however, Plavalaguna was acted by French actress Maïwenn Le Besco). The Fifth Element (1997) is a science fiction action movie, directed by Luc Besson, starring Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker, Tricky, Indra Ové and Al Matthews. ... Inva Mula (alternate spellings Inva Mula-Çako, Inva Mula-Tchako, Inva Mula Tchako, Inva Mulla Tchako) (born 1963) is an opera singer born in Tirana, Albania. ...

The "mad scene" was also used in the first episode of the anime Gankutsuou (in place of l'Italiana in Algeri which was the opera used in that scene in The Count of Monte Cristo). Anime ) is a style of cartoon animation originating in Japan, with distinctive character and background aesthetics that visually set it apart from other forms of animation. ... Gankutsuou (Japanese: 巌窟王 Gankutsuō)is an anime series loosely based on Alexandre Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo. ... Litaliana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers) is a comic opera in two acts by Gioacchino Rossini to an Italian libretto by Angelo Anelli, based on his earlier libretto set by Luigi Mosca, a composer now forgotten. ... The Count of Monte Cristo (Le comte de Monte Cristo) is a classic adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas, père. ...

Synopsis

Sir Walter Scott's novel is based on a true incident that took place in the Scottish Lowlands in 1669. The story concerns a feud between two families, the Ashtons and the Ravenswoods. When the opera begins, the Ashtons are in the ascendancy and have taken possession of Ravenswood Castle, the ancestral home of their rivals. Edgardo (Sir Edgar), Master of Ravenswood and last surviving member of his family, has been forced to live in a lonely tower by the sea, known as the Wolf's Crag. The Ashtons, despite their success, are threatened by changing political and religious forces. Enrico (Lord Henry Ashton) hopes to gain the protection of the important Arturo (Lord Arthur Bucklaw) to whom he intends to marry his sister Lucia (Lucy).

Part One

Act 1, Scene 1: The gardens of Ravenswood Castle

Normanno (Norman), captain of the castle guard, and other retainers are searching for an intruder. He tells Enrico that he believes that the man is Edgardo, and that he comes to the castle to meet Lucia. It is confirmed that Edgardo is indeed the intruder. Enrico reaffirms his hatred for the family and his determination to end the relationship.

Scene 2: By a fountain at the entrance to the park, beside the castle

Lucia waits for Edgardo. In her famous aria 'Regnava nel Silenzio', Lucia tells her maid Alisa (Alice) that she has seen the ghost of a girl killed on the very same spot by a jealous Ravenswood ancestor. Alisa tells her the apparition is a warning that she must give up her love for Edgardo. Edgardo enters. For political reasons, he must leave immediately for France. He hopes to make his peace with Enrico and marry Lucia. Lucia tells him this is impossible, instead they take a sworn vow of marriage and exchange rings. Edgardo leaves.

Part Two

Act 2 , Scene 1: Lord Ashton's apartments in Ravenswood Castle

Preparations have been made for the imminent wedding of Lucia to Arturo. Enrico worries about whether Lucia will really submit to the wedding. He shows his sister a forged letter seemingly proving that Edgardo has forgotten her and taken a new lover. Enrico leaves Lucia to further persuasion this time by Raimondo (Raymond), Lucia's chaplain and tutor, that she should renounce her vow to Edgardo, for the good of the family, and marry Arturo.

Scene 2: A hall in the castle

Arturo arrives for the marriage. Lucia acts strangely, but Enrico explains that this is due to the death of her mother. Arturo signs the marriage contract, followed reluctantly by Lucia. At that point Edgardo suddenly appears in the hall. Raimondo prevents a fight, but he shows Lucia's signature on the marriage contract to Edgardo. He curses her, demanding that they return their rings to each other. He tramples his ring on the ground, before being forced out of the castle.

Act 3, Scene 1: The Wolf's Crag

Enrico visits Edgardo to challenge him to a duel. He tells him that Lucia is already enjoying her bridal bed. Edgardo agrees to fight him. They will meet later by the graveyard of the Ravenswoods, near the Wolf's Crag.

Scene 2: A Hall in Ravenswood castle

Raimondo interrupts the marriage celebrations to tell the guests that Lucia has gone mad and killed her bridegroom. Lucia enters. In the aria 'Il dolce suono' she imagines being with Edgardo, soon to be happily married. Enrico enters and at first threatens Lucia but later softens when he realizes her condition. Lucia collapses. Raimondo blames Normanno for precipitating the whole tragedy.

Scene 3: The graveyard of the Ravenswood family

Edgardo is resolved to kill himself on Enrico's sword. He learns that Lucia is dying and then Raimondo comes to tell him that she has already died. Edgardo stabs himself to death with a dagger, hoping to be re-unified with Lucia in heaven.

[This synopsis by Simon Holledge was first published on Opera japonica http://www.operajaponica.org and appears here by permission.]

Lucie de Lammermoor

The French version of Lucia di Lammermoor was commissioned for the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris and opened on August 6, 1839. The libretto is by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz. It is not simply a translation; Donizetti altered some of the scenes and characters. One of the more notable changes is the disappearance of Alisa, Lucia's only friend. This allows the French version to isolate Lucia more than the original. Furthermore, Lucia loses most of Raimondo's support; his role is dramatically diminished while Arturo gets a bigger part. Donizetti creates a new character, Gilbert, who is loosely based on the huntsman in the Italian version. Gilbert, however, is a more developed figure and serves both Edgardo and Enrico, divulging their secrets to each other for money. The Eiffel Tower, the international symbol of the city For other uses, see Paris (disambiguation). ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1839 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The French version is not performed nearly as often as the Italian, but was co-produced by the Boston Lyric Opera and the Glimmerglass Opera in 2004. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Recordings

Callas M., di Stefano G., Gobbi T., Serafin [cond.], 1953, EMI

Callas M., di Stefano G., Karajan [cond.], 1955, EMI

Sutherland J., Pavarotti L., Milnes S., Bonynge [cond.], 1971, Decca

Sutherland J., Cioni R., Merrill R., Pritchard [cond.], 1961, Decca

Media