TO-NIGHT’S OPERA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 15

TO-NIGHT’S OPERA

“LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR” Donizetti’s three-act opera, “Lucia di Lammermoor,” will be presented at St. James Theatre this evening. There are many pages in this opei-a which were not written by Donizetti. Simone Meyr, who often helped Rossini, also assisted Donizetti. The chorus in the last act was copied from a Mass by Meyr. Donizetti asked Meyr’s for-' giveness for this plagiarism, and received the reply: “It is I who should thank you for the honour you have paid my music.” The opera was first produced at Naples in September, 1835. “Lucia di Lammermoor" is in vogue to-day, Lucia’s arias giving opportunity to a prima donna. It .was in this opera that a young Australian soprano made her detout as Lucy on May 24, 1888—Nellie Melba. And it was when singing as an understudy in this opera in Naples that Enrico Caruso first placed his foot oh the bottom rung of the ladder of fame. The substitute sang better than the principal, who had been largely advertised. The story is a simple one, though ending in tragedy. Henry Ashton has dissipated his fortune, and, to mend matters, would wed his sister Lucy to the rich Lord Arthur Bucklaw. Lucy, however, secretly loves and is loved by Sir Edgar Ravenswood. Edgar is sent to France on duty. His letters to Lucy are intercepted by Ashton, who goes further and forges a document showing Edgar to be false to the vows of constancy which he has exchanged with Lucy. Lucy then reluctantly agrees to the marriage with Bucklaw The marriage contract is- signed and the ceremony is taking place, when Edgar bursts into Ashton’s castle. He is shown Lucy’s signature to the contract. In his rage he curses her and the whole house of Lammermoor. On entering t-he bridal chamber Lucy goes mad and kills the bridegroom. The horror of the deed restores her reason. She stabs hersself. Edgar has tried to force a duel on Ashton and betakes himself to the burying place of his fathers to await Ashton. It is here that he hears of the tragedy of Lucy’s death, and takes his life by falling on his sword.