Thanks to inspired singing, acting and stage craft, Los Angeles Opera's recent production of Donizetti's LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR will long be remembered. With Albina Shagimuratova taking on the lead role of Lucia, joined by Saimir Pirgu as her doomed lover Edgardo, and Stephen Powell as her despicable father Enrico, the emotional power of Donizetti's masterpiece was delivered with a wallop. James Creswell as the chaplain Raimondo and Vladimir Dmitruk as the clueless groom Arturo also sang with
impressive power and purity.
Photo: Robert Millard
As directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer and conducted by James Conlon, this version
of LUCIA emphasized the emotional power of the human voice. Wendall K.
Harrington's set and Christine Crook's costumes were evocative yet austere,
and the chorus's movements
were stylized and controlled. In effect, the stage was turned over to
the singers--and to Donizetti's achingly beautiful bel canto score.
All the elements came together in this once-in-a-lifetime production.