LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
by Gaetano Donizetti
LOVE AND MADNESS
Presented in
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
November 9, 12, and 14, 2019 at 7:30 pm
November 17, 2019 at 2 pm
The most
famous tragedy in the romantic bel canto repertoire, Lucia di Lammermoor,
is a veritable vocal and theatrical tour de force for its lead singer. To bring
to life this dramatic love story in which emotions are pushed to the
extreme—one need only think of Lucia’s over-the-top mad scene—the Opéra de
Montréal has chosen Korean soprano Kathleen Kim for the role of Lucia
and Quebec tenor Frédéric Antoun as her lover Edgardo.
“Lucia
is undeniably one of the greatest female roles in the repertoire and we’re
fortunate to have Kathleen Kim—who was recently hailed for her appearance at
the Metropolitan Opera in New York—in the role,” says Patrick Corrigan, General
Director of the Opéra de Montréal. “Our 2019-2020 season is one of the most
exciting since the company’s very beginnings, and this magnificent production
of Lucia di Lammermoor proves it,” states Corrigan.
THE STORY: FORCED MARRIAGE AND
CRUEL BETRAYAL
In 16th century Scotland, the hatred that consumes the Ashton
and Ravenswood clans claims its first victim in the passionate love of Edgardo
and Lucia, sister of the sinister Enrico Ashton. But the lovers swear that
nothing will get the better of their commitment to one another, as they vow to
remain together. Using falsified evidence, Enrico nevertheless manages to
convince Lucia that Edgardo has betrayed her, as he wants her to instead marry
the man he has chosen for her, Arturo Bucklaw. Convinced of her lover’s
unfaithfulness, Lucia gives in and signs the contract. Faced with the done
deal, Edgardo doesn’t understand the situation and defends himself against all
accusations of infidelity, accusing Lucia of having broken their promise to one
another. Lucia marries Arturo but begins to lose her senses: on the wedding
night, she savagely stabs the husband she detests and, descending into madness,
relives her happy past before dying. Edgardo, having learned the underlying
facts of the plot and its fatal consequences, stabs himself with his dagger,
following Lucia to the grave.
THE
WORK: VIRTUOSITY AND DRAMATIC INTENSITY
In Lucia
di Lammermoor, Donizetti’s genius is manifest in the solid dramatic
construction, as well as in the magnificent melodic richness. Through his
music, Donizetti succeeds in perfectly depicting the characters, which have
become archetypes of both bel canto and romantic Italian opera. Written in six
weeks during a very prolific period in the composer’s life, Lucia di
Lammermoor finely balances highly virtuosic singing with steady drama. And
while the work peaks in the third act with Lucia’s famous “mad” scene—requiring
great technique, flexibility, and agility on the part of the
performer—Donizetti sustains the dramatic intensity through the vocal ensembles
(notably, the famous sextet at the end of the second act) and choruses.
More
than a few artists have immortalized the emblematic role of Lucia and have sung
the demanding score Donizetti composed for his heroine—among them, Maria
Callas, Nathalie Dessay, Joan Sutherland, and Anna Netrebko.
THE CAST
Heralded as “spectacular” by Opera News and “a revelation” by the
Chicago Sun-Times, soprano Kathleen Kim sings the colossal role of Lucia
alongside internationally renowned Quebec tenor Frédéric Antoun. Also
featured are baritone Gregory Dahl (Enrico), bass Oleg Tsibulko
(Raimondo), tenor Mario Bahg (Arturo), and bass-baritone Rocco Rupolo
(Normanno). Mezzo-soprano Florence Bourget, an artist-in-residence at
the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, completes the cast in the
role of Alice. Italian conductor Fabrizio Ventura conducts the Orchestre
Métropolitain and the Opéra de Montréal Chorus (prepared by Claude
Webster). Stage direction is by Michael Cavanagh.
Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti
Structure: 3 acts
Language: Italian with English and French surtitles
Libretto: Salvatore Cammarano
Premiere: Teatro di San Carlo, 1839
FREE
ACTIVITIES
LET’S
TALK OPERA ! – Opéra
de Montréal is reaching out to opera lovers or newcomers outside the hall:
Let’s talk opera! A stimulating exploration of each opera featuring singers and
guests. Plot, music, voices, cultural context, composer… everything you ever
wanted to know! Hosted by musicologist Pierre Vachon (Ph.D.). Duration: 90
minutes with coffee break.
DATES
Maison de la culture de Longueuil (édifice
Marcel-Robidas) – Wednesday, October 16,
1 :30pm (In French)
Victoria Hall – Sunday, October 27, 2pm (In English)
Cégep de Saint-Laurent – Thursday, October 31, 7pm (In French)
Bibliothèque de Pierrefonds – Saturday, November 2, 7pm (In French)
Grande Bibliothèque – Sunday, November 3, 2pm (In French)
Maison de la culture Frontenac (Maison de la
culture Janine-Sutto) – Monday, November 4,
7 :30pm (In French)
