Lucia di Lammermoor

***Lucia di Lammermoor*** is a *dramma tragico* (tragic opera) in three acts by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. Salvadore Cammarano wrote the Italian-language libretto loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott's 1819 historical novel *The Bride of Lammermoor*.

Donizetti wrote *Lucia di Lammermoor* in 1835, when he was reaching the peak of his reputation as an opera composer. Gioachino Rossini had recently retired and Vincenzo Bellini had died shortly before the premiere of *Lucia* leaving Donizetti as "the sole reigning genius of Italian opera". Not only were conditions ripe for Donizetti's success as a composer, but there was also a widespread interest in the history and culture of Scotland. The perceived romance of its violent wars and feuds, as well as its folklore and mythology, intrigued 19th century readers and audiences. Sir Walter Scott dramatized these elements in his novel *The Bride of Lammermoor*, which inspired several musical works including *Lucia*.

## Synopsis

* Time: Early 18th century
* Place: Scotland

### Act 1

*Scene 1: The gardens of Lammermoor Castle*

Normanno, captain of the castle guard, and other retainers are searching for an intruder. He tells Enrico that he believes that the man is Edgardo of Ravenswood, and that he comes to the castle to meet Enrico's sister, Lucia. It is confirmed that Edgardo is indeed the intruder. Enrico reaffirms his hatred for the Ravenswood 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 that she has seen the ghost of a girl killed on the very same spot by a jealous Ravenswood ancestor. Alisa tells Lucia that the apparition is a warning and 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, and instead they take a sworn vow of marriage and exchange rings. Edgardo leaves.

### Act 2

*Scene 1: Lord Ashton's apartments*

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, 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 seems distressed, 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, which leads to the celebrated sextet *Chi mi frena in tal momento*. Raimondo prevents a fight, and he shows Edgardo Lucia's signature on the marriage contract. Edgardo 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: Wolfcrag*

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*

Raimondo interrupts the marriage celebrations to tell the guests that Lucia has gone mad and killed her bridegroom Arturo. 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 Enrico 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 with a dagger, hoping to be reunited with Lucia in heaven.

## Musical Numbers

### Act 1

* "Precorrete... Percorriamo le spiagge vicine" (Normanno, Chorus)
* "Tu sei turbato!... E n'ho ben d'onde" (Normanno, Enrico, Raimondo)
* "Cruda, funesta smania" (Enrico, Normanno, Raimondo)
* "Il tuo dubbio è omai certezza ... Come vinti da stanchezza" (Chorus, Normanno, Enrico, Raimondo)
* "La pietade in suo favore" (Enrico, Raimondo, Chorus)
* "Ancor non giunse!" (Lucia, Alisa)
* "Regnava nel silenzio alta la notte e bruna" (Lucia, Alisa)
* "Quando rapito in estasi" (Lucia, Alisa)
* "Egli s'avanza... Lucia, perdona se ad ora inusitata" (Alisa, Edgardo, Lucia)
* "Sulla tomba che rinserra il tradito genitore" (Edgardo, Lucia)
* "Qui di sposa eterna fede" (Edgardo, Lucia)
* "Ah talor del tuo pensiero" (Edgardo, Lucia)
* "Verrano a te sull'aura i miei sospiri ardenti" (Lucia, Edgardo)

### Act 2

* "Lucia fra poco a te verrà" (Normanno, Enrico)
* "Appressati, Lucia ... Il pallor funesto, orrendo" (Enrico, Lucia)
* "Soffriva nel pianto ... Un folle t' accese" (Lucia, Enrico)
* "Che fia?... Suonar di giubilo" (Lucia, Enrico)
* "Se tradirmi tu potrai ... Tu che vedi il pianto mio" (Enrico, Lucia)
* "Ebben? – Di tua speranza" (Lucia, Raimondo)
* "Ah! cedi, cedi" (Lucia, Raimondo)
* "Al ben de' tuoi qual vittima" (Raimondo)
* "Per te d'immenso giubilo ... Per poco fra la tenebre" (Chorus, Arturo)
* "Dov'è Lucia? ... Qui giungere or la vedrem" (Arturo, Alisa, Edgardo, Enrico, Lucia, Raimondo, Chorus)
* "Chi mi frena in tal momento" (Edgardo, Enrico, Lucia, Raimondo, Arturo, Alisa, Chorus)
* "T'allontana, sciagurato ... Rispettate in me di Dio" (Arturo, Edgardo, Enrico, Chorus, Lucia, Raimondo)
* "Sconsigliato! In questa portachi ti guida?" (Enrico, Edgardo, Raimondo, Lucia, Chorus)
* "Esci, fuggi, il furor che mi accende" (Arturo, Enrico, Chorus, Raimondo, Lucia, Edgardo, Alisa)

### Act 3

* "Orrida è questa notte" (Edgardo, Enrico)
* "Qui del padre ancor respira" (Edgardo, Enrico)
* "D'immenso giubilo" (Chorus, Raimondo)
* "Dalle stanze ove Lucia" (Raimondo)
* "Oh! Qual funesto avvenimento!" (Chorus, Raimondo)
* "Oh, giusto cielo... Il dolce suono" (Lucia, Chorus)
* "Ohimè! sorge il tremendo fantasma" (Lucia)
* "Ardon gl'incesi" (Lucia)
* "S'avanza Enrico" (Enrico, Lucia, Normanno, Chorus)
* "Spargi d'amaro pianto" (Lucia, Enrico, Raimondo, Chorus)
* "Si tragga altrove" (Enrico, Normanno)
* "Tombe degli avi miei" (Edgardo)
* "Fra poco a me ricovero darà negletto avello" (Edgardo)
* "Oh, meschinal Oh, fato orrendo!" (Chorus, Edgardo)
* "Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali" (Edgardo, Raimondo, Chorus)