49th Season 2004–2005 |
Lucia di Lammermoor Music by Gaetano Donizetti Libretto by Salvatore Cammarano after Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor |
Act I
In 1689 a group of influential Scottish Tories, hoping to return the recently deposed James II to the throne, organized what came to be known as the Jacobite Rebellion. The collapse of the Rebellion in 1691 left the Whigs in power, and many felt that those Tories who were implicated in the Jacobite movement should be punished.
Enrico Ashton is a prominent Whig lawyer in Scotland who opposed the Rebellion. The strong anti-Tory sentiment of the early 1690’s has enabled him to win a series of legal decisions giving him title to the vast estates of the Ravenswoods, an old, noble family with strong Jacobite loyalties. The Ashtons now enjoy a lavish life in Ravenswwod Castle. Young Edgardo, the last of the Ravenswoods, lives in a ruined tower at Wolf’s Crag, the only property he still owns.
As the opera begins, Ashton is deeply worried. The Tories are returning to power in Parliament, and the Ravenswood case is to be appealed in the House of Lords. Enrico could lose everything. The only course, he thinks, is to gain political and financial support by arranging an advantageous marriage for his sister, Lucia. And a likely bridegroom is at hand: Arturo Bucklaw, immensely wealthy and well-connected. Lucia has so far refused to consider Bucklaw, because she is already involved in a secret affair with young Ravenswood.
But Lucia’s affair is already suspected. As the curtain rises on Act I, the captain of Ashton’s guard instructs a group of huntsmen to search the grounds for Lucia’s unknown lover. In due course the huntsmen report that Lucia’s secret admirer is indeed Edgardo, and Enrico swears that he will have vengeance on his mortal enemy.
In another part of the estate, Lucia and Edgardo meet at a planned rendezvous. Edgardo reveals that he must leave immediately for France on Jacobite business. The two lovers swear eternal faith to each other, and part tenderly.
Act II
At the start of Act II, some time has passed. Enrico has made arrangements for Lucia’s wedding to Arturo Bucklaw, and the festivities are to take place shortly. All that is lacking is Lucia’s consent, which she has so far refused. Unable to persuade her by other means, Enrico produces a forged letter which purports to be from Edgardo and indicates that he has deserted her. Overcome with anguish, Lucia still refuses to yield, insisting that she would sooner die. At last she gives in to the pleading of Raimondo, the Ashton family chaplain.
The wedding guests rejoice as Arturo arrives, and is presented to Lucia. But just as the marriage contract has been signed, Edgardo bursts in. Frozen with astonishment and remorse, all the participants join in the celebrated Sextet. An immediate fight to the death between Enrico and Edgardo is prevented only by the intervention of Raimondo. Outraged to discover Lucia’s signature on the wedding contract, Edgardo denounces her and makes his escape.
Later that night, in his ruined tower at Wolf’s Crag, Edgardo reflects that his fate is as grim as the fearful storm which rages outside. Enrico arrives to confront his arch enemy, and the two men agree to meet for a final duel at dawn next morning.
Act III
Back at Ravenswood Castle, the wedding festivities are interrupted by the entrance of a shaken Raimondo. Upstairs he has found Arturo stabbed to death, and a demented Lucia smiling with the bloodied knife in her hand. The guests join Raimondo in a fervent prayer that they may be spared the wrath of Heaven.
Slowly, Lucia makes her way down the stairs. Lost in a world of confused memories and images, she relives scenes from her past, at one moment ecstatic and at the next terrified. Enrico, returning from Wolf’s Crag, is horrified to see what has happened to her, and assailed by remorse. Imagining her reunion with Edgardo in the next life, Lucia sinks to the floor unconscious.
At dawn, Edgardo arrives at the appointed place for the duel. He has decided not to fight, but to throw himself on his enemy’s sword. A chorus of mourners from the castle reports that Lucia has lost her mind, and is close to death. Edgardo resolves to see her once more, but Raimondo arrives with the news that it is too late. With nothing left but the hope that he and Lucia may be united in Heaven, Edgardo kills himself.
