Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor (Callas, New York Met, 1956) (320kbps .mp3)

Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor (Callas, New York Met, 1956) (320kbps .mp3)

[320kbps is of course far above the necessary bit rate for such an old recording; but this is the BBC broadcast rate and I supply it (converted to .mp3) at that rate rather than compress it]


This evening's opera from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York is a historic performance of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor from December 8th 1956, with soprano Maria Callas. It was Callas’ only Met radio broadcast.
Donizetti's tragic masterpiece tells of the innocent Lucia who is forced into a marriage with Arturo Bucklaw by her brother Enrico to save the family fortunes, although Lucia is desperately in love with Edgardo Ravenswood. Enrico's ruthlessness and deceit devastate his fragile sister Lucia, with tragic consequences.

The Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House is conducted by Italian-born American operatic conductor, Fausto Cleva.

This remarkable performance from the Met's archives is presented by Mary Jo Heath with commentator Ira Siff and promises to be an unforgettable evening. During the second interval, at 7.55pm, there's a chance to hear rare archive footage from the Met of Maria Callas talking about her relationship with the Met and her preparation for the role of Lucia in tonight’s opera.

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor
Lucia.....Maria Callas (soprano)
Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood.....Giuseppe Campora (tenor)
Lord Enrico Ashton.....Enzo Sordello (baritone)
Raimondo Bidebent.....Nicola Moscona (bass)
Normanno.....James Mccracken (tenor)
Alisa.....Thelma Votipka (mezzo-soprano)
Lord Arturo Bucklaw.....Paul Franke (tenor)
New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
New York Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Fausto Cleva (conductor)

Synopsis
ACT I
Scotland, mid-19th century. An intruder has been spotted at night on the grounds of Lammermoor Castle, home of Enrico Ashton. Normanno, the captain of the guard, sends Enrico’s men off in search of the stranger. Enrico arrives, troubled. His family’s fortunes are in danger, and only the arranged marriage of his sister, Lucia, with Lord Arturo can save them. The chaplain Raimondo, Lucia’s tutor, reminds Enrico that the girl is still mourning the death of her mother. But Normanno reveals that Lucia is concealing a great love for Edgardo di Ravenswood, leader of the Ashtons’ political enemies. Enrico is furious and swears vengeance.

Just before dawn at a fountain in the woods nearby, Lucia and her companion Alisa are waiting for Edgardo. Lucia relates that, at the fountain, she has seen the ghost of a girl who was stabbed by her jealous lover. Alisa urges her to leave Edgardo, but Lucia insists that her love for Edgardo brings her great joy and may overcome all. Edgardo arrives and explains that he must go to France on a political mission. Before he leaves he wants to make peace with Enrico. Lucia, however, asks Edgardo to keep their love a secret. Edgardo agrees, and they exchange rings and vows of devotion.

ACT II
It is some months later, on the day that Lucia is to marry Arturo. Normanno assures Enrico that he has successfully intercepted all correspondence between the lovers and has in addition procured a forged letter, supposedly from Edgardo, that indicates he is involved with another woman. As the captain goes off to welcome the groom, Lucia enters, continuing to defy her brother. Enrico shows her the forged letter. Lucia is heartbroken, but Enrico insists that she marry Arturo to save the family. He leaves, and Raimondo, convinced no hope remains for Lucia’s love, reminds her of her late mother and she finally agrees.

As the wedding guests arrive in the Great Hall, Enrico explains to Arturo that Lucia is still in a state of melancholy because of her mother’s death. The girl enters and reluctantly signs the marriage contract. Suddenly Edgardo bursts in, claiming his bride. The entire company is overcome by shock. Arturo and Enrico order Edgardo to leave, but he insists that he and Lucia are engaged. When Raimondo shows him the contract with Lucia’s signature, Edgardo curses her and tears his ring from her finger before finally leaving in despair and rage.

ACT III
Enrico visits Edgardo at his dilapidated home and taunts him with the news that Lucia and Arturo have just been married. The two men agree to meet at dawn for a duel. Back at Lammermoor, Raimondo interrupts the wedding festivities with the news that Lucia has gone mad and killed Arturo. Lucia enters, covered in blood. She recalls her meetings with Edgardo and imagines she is with him on their wedding night. She vows she will never be happy in heaven without her lover and that she will see him there. When Enrico returns, he is enraged at Lucia’s behaviour but soon realizes that she has lost her senses. After a confused and violent exchange with her brother, Lucia collapses.

In the graveyard, Edgardo laments that he has to live without Lucia and awaits his duel with Enrico, which he hopes will end his own life. Guests coming from Lammermoor Castle tell him that the dying Lucia has called his name. As he is about to rush to her, Raimondo announces that she has died. Determined to join Lucia in heaven, Edgardo stabs himself.