Sotto Voce presents Donizetti's masterwork of Italian opera Lucia di Lammermoor, featuring the athletic vocals of local and national talent in an immersive and imaginative staging, Friday, March 28, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 30, at 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, 1 Symphony Circle.  

Under the visionary leadership of Stage Director Alex Huddleston and musical direction of master bel canto pedagogue and internationally acclaimed tenor Arturo Spinetti, Lucia di Lammermoor will be presented in a bold new light, featuring athletic vocals in an immersive and imaginative staging.  The stunning Romanesque architecture of the First Presbyterian church will provide an ornate and expansive staging area; by moving the players throughout the hall over the course of the show, the audience will get to experience the show’s visceral vocals and fiery drama in an intimate way. A spoken role written for this production will serve as a comedic and insightful narrative voice. This character - a re-imagining of Walter Scott, the author of the novel The Bride of Lammermoor on which the opera was based -  will clue the audience into the subtleties of the drama through interjections in contemporary English.

Set in 17^th century Scotland, Lucia di Lammermoor tells a "Romeo and Juliet"-style saga of warring families and star-crossed lovers. The drama culminates in the famous "mad scene" - quoted in such popular culture references as the movie The Fifth Element - and features some of opera's most intense and expressive vocals. 

The show runs about two and a half hours in duration, with a 15 minute intermission and reception to follow. The opera will be sung in the original Italian with English subtitles. Information on parking to come closer to the dates.

SYNOPSIS

The opera Lucia di Lammermoor - based on Sir Walter Scott's novel, The Bride of Lammermoor - tells the tale of Lucy Ashton (Lucia) and Edgar Ravenswood (Edgardo) - two young people from opposing sides of society who fall madly in love, despite their families long-standing feud. This ill-fated love match has disastrous consequences for Lucia, Edgardo, and the lives of all who surround them.

In Act I, we meet Lucia's headstrong brother Enrico Ashton who thinks only of political glory, namely in defeating rival clan, the Ravenswoods. While he is caught in militaristic reverie, his advisor tells him of his sister's romance with Ravenswood family head, Edgardo. Enrico becomes furious, pledging vengeance. Meanwhile, Lucia meets her lover clandestinely, despite visions that suggest her infatuation is leading her down a dark and dangerous path. While Lucia and Edgardo must temporarily part, they pledge to each other eternal faithfulness.

In Act II, Enrico tricks Lucia into believing that Edgardo has forsaken her, then forces her into a more politically advantageous betrothal. When Edgardo finally arrives to take Lucia away, it is only to find that she has been wed to another. He leaves in a rage, with Lucia's spirit - and mind - utterly destroyed in the wake of his departure.

Although at the end of Act II Enrico's plan may seem to have succeeded, this tragic opera still has more in store. The opera's legendary Act III conclusion - the Mad Scene - showcases the transcendent extravagance of a woman's refusal of society's strictures, and is followed by a heart-wrenching final statement of grief from the primo divo.

DIRECTORS

Music Director + Conductor: Arturo Spinetti

Stage Director + Script Writer: Alex Huddleston

Choral Director + Stage Manager: Jamie Gangemi

CAST

Lucia Ashton: Jessie Downs

Enrico Ashton, her brother: Stephen Walley

Edgardo Ravenswood, her lover: Jax Hassler

Raimondo Bidebent, a chaplain: Tim Flynn

Arturo Bucklaw, Lucia's betrothed: David Freides (covering Edgardo)

Normanno, Enrico's right-hand man: Tyler Huk (covering Arturo)

Alisa, Lucia's advisor: Beth White

Emcee, your guide through the show - Elliot Fox

CHORUS

Sopranos - Tediyra Barton-Harris + Aleksandra Tirone

Altos - Maria Parker + Laurie Pastena

Tenor - Daniel Barna

Baritone - Jonas Ardillo

Bass - Ky Ver Hoef

ENSEMBLE

Violin 1 - Amie Vredeburg 

Violin 2 - Jessica Anthony

Viola - Josh Corwin

Cello - Randy Leon

Piano - Su Lee