Lucia di Lammermoor

VO Jessica Pratt Lucia di Lammermoor Teatro La Fenice Venice photo by Michelle CroseraWith its dramatic intensity and heartbreaking music, Lucia di Lammermoor has remained one of the most iconic operas since its premiere in 1835. Featuring Soprano Jessica Pratt in the title role, Victorian Opera presents Donizetti’s masterpiece at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 12 April 2016.

A tragic love-story featuring one of opera’s most iconic mad scenes, Lucia di Lammermoor tells of Lucia’s forced marriage to ensure her family’s future. Lucia’s lover Edgardo is the sworn-enemy of the Lammermoor family and despite their vow to marry, Lucia’s brother Enrico manipulates his sister to marry another man. His actions set in motion, the most bloody and tragic consequences.

Australian superstar soprano Jessica Pratt brings her career-defining role, home for the first time. Following Dame Nellie Melba and Dame Joan Sutherland, Pratt is only the third Australian to perform Lucia at La Scala in Milan. Since making her professional opera debut in the Donizetti bel canto masterpiece in 2007, Pratt has appeared in over 20 productions of Lucia yet Victorian Opera’s production marks her first in Australia.

One of the most in-demand performers in the world, Pratt says she is very excited to sing Lucia in Australia. “It’s my favourite role, and the role I’ve sung the most all over the world. After singing it from Peru to La Scala, I finally get to sing it at home.”

Reunited with baritone José Carbó, who performs the role of her brother Enrico, Pratt also performs alongside former Victorian Opera emerging artist Carlos E. Bárcenas as her lover Edgardo. This production marks Bárcenas’ first major lead role with the company, having appeared alongside Pratt in both La traviata (2014) and I Puritani (2015). His casting reflects Victorian Opera’s commitment to the development of emerging artists.

Conducted by Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director Richard Mills, Lucia di Lammermoor will be directed by award winning director Cameron Menzies, who was recently nominated for a 2015 Green Room Award for his production of Victorian Opera’s The Grumpiest Boy in the World.

“Lucia di Lammermoor was the first opera to break from tradition by not bringing its leading lady back from the brink of madness,” says Menzies. “Previously the insane woman would return to sanity through love or through the guidance of a man, however Lucia is the first not to follow suit.”

“This finality for Lucia and for the audience to experience is something that I feel is one of the many reasons this opera and the character of Lucia still fascinates people today.”

Director: Cameron Menzies Starring: Jessica Pratt (Lucia), José Carbó (Enrico), Carlos E. Bárcenas (Edgardo), Michael Petruccelli (Arturo), Jud Arthur (Raimondo), Shakira Tsindos (Alisa), Michael Lapina (Normanno), Orchestra Victoria, Victorian Opera Chorus Conductor: Richard Mill Lighting Designer: Donn Byrnes Original Set Designer: Henry Bardon Original Costume Designer: Michael Stennett Wardrobe Supervisor: Kim Bishop

Lucia di Lammermoor
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Season: 12 – 21 April 2016
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au

For more information, visit: www.victorianopera.com.au for details.

Image: Jessica Pratt in Lucia di Lammermoor at Teatro La Fenice, Venice – photo by Michelle Crosera