Donizetti’s ‘Lucia di Lammermor’ from La Scala on WHRO-FM

WFMT’s fall opera season opens on a dramatic note with Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” recorded at Milan’s legendary Teatro alla Scala.
This celebrated bel canto tragedy, conducted by Speranza Scappucci, brings together the La Scala Orchestra and Chorus with a distinguished cast led by soprano Rosa Feola as Lucia. Based on Sir Walter Scott’s Gothic novel “The Bride of Lammermoor,” the opera tells the tragic story of Lucia and Edgardo, two lovers divided by a bitter family feud. Forced by her brother Enrico to marry another man, Lucia is driven to despair and ultimately madness, leading to one of opera’s most famous and haunting scenes: the Mad Scene. Rosa Feola is particularly impressive as Lucia, combining a bright, agile soprano with remarkable technical control and deeply expressive phrasing. Speranza Scappucci leads the performance with a sensitive, elegant and finely controlled approach to Donizetti’s bel canto style.
With its superb voices, sumptuous orchestral sound, chilling atmosphere and intensely emotional drama, “Lucia di Lammermoor” makes a compelling opening to WFMT’s fall opera season on the iconic La Scala stage. Tune in to WHRO-FM 90.3, or listen online via our Media Player, this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.