Virginia Zeani's Dramatic Lucia G 1957 London

Act 2 The sextet "Chi mi frena" Virginia Zeani sang Lucia in London in 1957. The opera had not been heard in England since 1925 and was considered nothing more than a frivolous, out of date curiosity. Toti del Monte had been the last to sing the role and hers was reputedly a light weight interpretation in which she "fluttered a fan".

In 1957 opera was presented in Oscar Hammersteins's vast Stoll Theatre by an ad hoc Italian Touring company, in a rudimentary staging with simple, painted scenery. Yet, despite the very modest production, Virginia Zeani's brilliantly sung, dramatically compelling Lucia completely changed people's attitudes to the opera, even convincing a sceptical Covent Garden management to go ahead with their own production two years later.

Virginia Zeani 's Lucia is a real flesh and blood character. Singing with vibrant, luminous tone, she uses the music to convey the emotions of the deeply disturbed heroine, employing ornamentation for dramatic effect and never merely for empty display. Zeani studied the role with the coloratura soprano Lydia Lipkowska, who taught her the traditional embellishments, handed down from Donizetti's early interpreters.

In the Castle of Lammermoor the wedding festivities are underway to a chorus of general rejoicing. But Lucia is distraught at the very sight of her bridegroom. She nevertheless goes ahead with the ceremony and with great reluctance signs the marriage contract.

At that very moment Edgardo bursts in and denounces Lucia and challenges Arturo and Enrico. The general anguish is shared as the principals sing the famous sextet. Here it is sung, applauded and sung again!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Virginia
• Zeani
• Italian
• Opera
• Donizetti
• Callas
• Sutherland
• Walter
• Scott

[basenjidiva]

Simply magnificent! The sextet is out of this world, and Mme. Zeani's gorgeous voice soars effortlessly over all, conveying her heartbreaking agony and loss. Thank you for these fabulous postings; these are treasures!

[dantitustimshu]

Mme Zeani stands out like a shining beacon in this most famous ensemble piece in the entire operatic repertoire. She plumbs the depth of Lucia's helplessness, anguish and sorrow that drove her to her eventual loss of reason amid the ugly feuds and machinations going around her. A most treasurable portrayal. Many thanks again for sharing this with us.