Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucy of Lammermoor) - Gaetano Donizetti
Information about the opera Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Donizetti's best known serious opera, it was revised for Paris as Lucie di Lammermoor in 1839.
Synopsis
The opera takes place in Scotland in the late 16th century. Lord Henry Ashton (Enrico) is enraged that his sister Lucy (Lucia) loves Sir Edgar Ravenswood (Edgardo), mortal enemy of their family. Lucia meets Edgardo later in the park where he tells her that he has to travel to France on political business, and the lovers exchange rings.
Enrico forges a letter from Edgardo to make Lucia believe he is unfaithful. Devastated by this revelation, she agrees to marry Lord Arthur Bucklaw (Arturo), to help the family's political situation. As the wedding celebrations begin Edgardo returns, and concludes Lucia has betrayed him, but she has already signed the marriage contract.
Enrico challenges Edgardo to a duel, but suddenly Lucia's deranged shrieks reveal that she has murdered Arturo in the bridal bed. She appears among the wedding guests carrying a bloody knife, and falls dead. Edgardo waits for Enrico in the churchyard, but when he hears of Lucia's death he stabs himself.
Recommended recordings on CD
Serafin/Callas/Tagliavini (EMI Classics 7243 586 197-2)
A version of Lucia di Lammermoor (c. Serafin) at budget price with no printed libretto.
Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Tullio Serafin, 1959.
Cast: Maria Callas (Lucia), Ferruccio Tagliavini (Edgardo), Piero Cappuccilli (Enrico), Bernard Ladysz (Raimondo).
EMI Classics 7243 586 197-2
Haider/Gruberova/Bros (Nightingale Classics NC 040214-2)
Vocalensemble Rastatt, SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg, conducted by Friedrich Haider.
Cast: Edita Gruberova (Lucia), José Bros (Edgardo), Georg Tichy (Enrico), Dan Paul Dumitrescu (Raimondo).
Nightingale Classics NC 040214-2
Serafin/Callas/Stefano (Naxos Historical 8.110131-32)
This recording, originally issued on LP by EMI, is the first Callas made with Serafin and caused a sensation when it was released in 1953.
Florence Maggio Musicale Orchestra, Florence Maggio Musicale Chorus, conducted by Tullio Serafin, 1953.
Cast: Maria Callas (Lucia), Giuseppe Di Stefano (Edgardo), Tito Gobbi (Enrico), Raphäel Arié (Raimondo).
Naxos Historical 8.110131-32 (mono)
Serafin/Callas/Tagliavini (EMI Classics 7243 556 284-2)
The finest account of this opera recorded.
Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Tullio Serafin, 1959.
Cast: Maria Callas (Lucia), Ferruccio Tagliavini (Edgardo), Piero Cappuccilli (Enrico), Bernard Ladysz (Raimondo).
EMI Classics 7243 556 284-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Ranzani/Devia/Scola (Opus Arte OA LS3003 D)
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Stefano Ranzani, 1992.
Cast: Mariella Devia (Lucia), Vincenzo La Scola (Edgardo), Renato Bruson (Enrico), Carlo Colombara (Raimondo).
Opus Arte OA LS3003 D
Also included in the boxed set:
The La Scala Opera Collection