LGC DY LAMMERMOOR, (THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR) IPERA IN THREE ACTS The Italian Libretto based on Music: Gaetano Donizetti Walter Scott's novel208 LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Opera in threo acts. Music by Gaetano Donizetti Libretto by Salvatore Cammarano, based on Sir Walter Scott's "The Bride of Lammermoor" First performance at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples, Soptembor 26, 1835 CHARACTERS Lucia, sister of Lord Enrico Ashton: coloratura soprano Sir Edgardo Di Ravenswood, in love with Lucia: tenor Lord Enrico Ashton, brother of Lucia: baritone Raimondo Bidebent, a Presbyterian chaplain and tutor and confidant of Lax Alisa, companion to Lucia: mezzo-soprano Normanno, captain of Ashton’s guard: tenor Arturo Bucklaw, a noble suitor: tenor bass Ladies and knights related to the Ashtons. Inhabitants of Lammermoor, pagos, soldiors, huntsmon, domestics in the Ashton household, dancers ‘The action takes place around 1700 in Scotland ‘THE PLOT ACTI Scone Ono On the grounds near Ravenswood castle, Normanno, chief huntsman of Henry Ashton, urges his men to find out the identity of the stranger he has recently seen lurking about. Enrico Ashton enters ‘accompanied by Raimondo Bidebent, his Presbyterian chaplain. Enrico is preoccupied with hisdeclining fortunes and is upset that his sister Lucia refuses to marry the one man who can\prevent his ruin: Lord Arturo Bucklaw. Raimondo tactfully suggests that Lucia's reluctance is caused by hor griof over hor ‘mother’s recent death. Normanno, however, has quite anothor oxplanation. Ho declares that she is madly in love with a stranger and meets him repeatedly. When Enrico demands to know who it is, Normanno reveals that it is none other than Edgardo of Ravenswood, Enrico's hated enemy. Enrico vents his anger. The huntsmen return and reveal that they have positively identified the stranger as Edgardo, which arouses Enrico to yet another burst of fury. Scene Two Lucia and her maid Alisa are at the fountain near the castle grounds, waiting for Edgardo. Lucia tells Alisa of the supernatural experience she has had there: she has seen the ghost which legends tolls haunts the fountain, and the ghost has bockoned to hor. Alisa realizes that this moans death, and unges hor mistross to givo up a love that can only ond in ruin and disaster. Lucia refuses to heed her warning. Edgardo enters, and Alisa goes to stand guard for the lovers. To Lucia's dismay Edgardo tells her that he must leave for France immediately to sarve the Jacobite cause. Bofors leaving, however, he wishes to make peace with the Ashtons, and seal the peace by marrying Lucia. Lucia, aware of her brother's hatred of the Ravenswoods, is opposed to telling Enrico, and Edgardo guesses her reasons. He reminds hher that his oath of vengeance on the Ashtons is still binding. Lucia bogs him to forgot his hatred. Edgardo suddonly urges her to oxchange pledges of eternal love and faith: they exchange rings and vow love unto death. Edgardo declares her his wife and Lucia begs Edgardo to write to her from Franco, saying that her knowledge of his love will sustain her. ‘They bid each other farewell and part.210 acT IL Scone One A considorablo time has passed sinco tho first act. In his study at Ravenswood, Enrico plots against the two lovers with Normamno. Enrico manages to intercept the correspondence between Lucia and Edgardo, and even though all the wedding preparations have been made, Lucia still refuses to marry Arturo. As a last resort Enrico and Normanno plot to show Lucia a forged letter in which Edgardo seemingly admits loving another woman. Lucia enters istlessly and Normanno leaves. Sho is worn down by Enrico’s constant badgering, but still refuses to bolfove that Edgardo has docoived hor. Enrico reminds her that the wodding date is drawing near, but Lucia only laments her brother's harshness. She tells her brother that she is already married, having pledged herself to Edgardo. At this point Enrico shows her the forged lottor. Lucia roads the lotter with horror, almost fainting at Edgardo's seeming faithlessness. Her misery increases as distant sounds of festivity are heard announcing the approaching retinue of Arthur Bucklaw. Enrico now delivers the fatal blow: he, her brother, will perish beneath the axe unless sho savos him by marrying Arturo. Lucia collapses. Raimondo Bidebent enters and finds Lucia in despair. He reminds her that Edgardo has not answered her letters and although he suspects that Enrico has been intercopting her correspondence, he advises her that the more prudont course is to marry Bucklaw. Lucia protests weakly that she is already bound to nother man, but Raimondo argues that such a bond, un-consecrated by heaven, is worthless. In the name of her mother's memory, in the name of Heaven, sho must sactifico herself. Lucia wearily surronders. Scone Two ‘A large hall in the castle has been docoratod to colobrato the arrival of Arturo Bucklaw and the signing of the marriago contract. At the summons of love he has come es a powerful friend and ally and will reverse the tide of woes that now beset the Ashtons. Arturo and Enrico discuss the bride, Arturo asking whether there is any truth in the rumor that Edgardo was interested in Lucia. Enrico evades the question and is saved from further reply by the entrance of the wan and listless Lucia. Enrico presents the bridal pair to each other. Lucia cannot hide her revulsion, and Enrico whispers a fierce admonition that she ‘be more prudent. They ready the marriage contract. Tho woak Lucia is the last to sign the paper. Just as she signs, tho rear door bursts open and Edgardo enters, watching the scene with horror and fury. Enrico is outraged by Edgardo’s intrusion. He draws his sword and @ duel is about to ensue when Raimondo manages to calm everyone down fora moment. He besesches Edgardo to look at tho marriago contract. Edgardo recognizes Lucia's signature and furiously toars off the ring she had given him and throws it at her. All upbraid him for his rash behavior. Lucia faints. ACT IIL Scone Ono At the Wol's Crag, Edgardo's ancestral crumbling towor, he compares his destiny to the fieroe storm raging outside, The sound of horse's hooves are heard and Enrico Ashton appears. When Edgardo inquires how Enrico could be s0 insolent as to come to see him, Enrico replies that Edgardo had been just as bold only a while before at his castle. Enrico challenges Edgardo to a duel at daybroak and the ‘two swear to fight to the death. Scene Two In the castles’ great hall guests celebrate the wedding, Suddonly Raimondo enters with shocking news. Ho relates how just boforo he had hoard such awful shouts from the bridal chamber that he rushed in to discover the cause. ‘To his horror he found Bucklaw’s bloodied corpse, with Lucia standing ovor it, bloody dagger in hand. She had gone completely mad and blankly asked Raimondo "where is my husband?" At this point Lucia herself entors and, in an extanded mad scene, imagines herself being married to Edgardo by a minister. Enrico rushes in, frantic at the reports of what has happened. Ho is about to hurl himself at his sister when the guests compel him to restrain himself seeing that his sister had gone completoly mad. He now fools the pangs of remorse for what he has caused. Lucia collapses at the end of her mad scene, and is borne off by attendants.