VIrginia Zeani's dramatic Lucia E London 1957

Act 2 duet with Enrico. 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 The opera had not been heard in England since 1925 and was considered nothing more than a frivolous, out of date curiosity.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 this scene Lucia and Edgardo swear eternal fidelity in the duet "Verranno a te".

The scene changes to the Castle of Lammermoor where Enrico, Lucia's brother shows her a letter proving that Edgardo has been faithless. He then tells her that she must marry the man of his choice, a nobleman called Arturo.

Category:

Music

Tags:

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

[basenjidiva]

No wonder Mme. Zeani brought the house down! Such a thrilling performance!!! Thank you for this wonderful posting.