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"Lucia di Lammermoor", a romantic opera in three acts by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, will be staged in Hong Kong today (January 6).
"Lucia di Lammermoor" is Donizetti's best-known masterpiece. Acclaimed ever since its premiere in 1835, the opera's beautifully woven melodies flow spontaneously, reflecting every nuance of character, emotion and psychological motivation as the dramatic situations require.
The story takes place in Scotland towards the end of the 17th century. Lord Enrico of Lammermoor Castle is perpetuating a family feud with the Ravenswood clan. The young lord of Ravenswood, Edgardo, whose father was killed and whose estate was usurped by Enrico's father, is now a fugitive.
Edgardo, ironically, falls in love with Enrico's sister, Lucia. They solemnly exchange rings and pledge their troth in the love duet.
Enrico enjoins Lucia to marry Arturo, his only hope of salvation to prevent his ruin. He produces a forged letter to show Edgardo's infidelity, which causes Lucia to become stricken with sadness.
At Lucia's wedding banquet, Edgardo bursts in to claim his bride. However, when Edgardo finds the marriage contract, he furiously gives Lucia back her ring, snatches his from her and tramples it as he curses her.
The wedding guests continue rejoicing in the great hall. Suddenly, shocking news spreads: Lucia, apparently out of her mind, has stabbed Arturo to death in the wedding chamber. Lucia appears, imagining in her madness that she has been happily united with Edgardo and conjuring up a vision of the nuptial altar. As she falls dying into her companion Alisa's arms, she declares that heaven will be empty for her until she is joined there by Edgardo.
Edgardo declares he has no desire to live without Lucia, and longs to die on Enrico's sword so as to join his ancestors. News comes that Lucia is dead. Edgardo prays for reunion with Lucia in heaven and stabs himself.
The production is directed by Lo Kingman and conducted by Lio Kuokman. The main cast includes Sang-Eun Lee, Anne Carolyn Bird, Todd Wilander, John Daniecki, Michael Corvino, Nicolai Janitzky, Freddie Tong, Alex Tam, Louise Kwong, Carol Lin and Chen Yong, with the collaboration of the Hong Kong Virtuosi and the Opera Society of Hong Kong.
Performed in Italian with Chinese and English surtitles, Lucia di Lammermoor is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and produced by Musica Viva. It will be staged at 7.45pm on January 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday), and at 2.45pm on January 7 and 8 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $630, $460, $300 and $150 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/0000031a.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, January 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:34
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