Michelle F. Solomon, ATCA, FFCC

Gaetano Donizetti's Romantic tragedy, Lucia di Lammermoor, a captivating bel canto masterpiece debuted in 1835 in Naples, Italy. Librettist Salvador Cammarano loosely based the story on Sir Walter Scott's tale, Bride of Lammermoor. It's a Scottish Romeo and Juliet about a woman who is in love with one man, but has been betrothed to another by her status seeking brother.

Photographer:

Lucia di Lammermoor. Photo Credit: Chris Kakol.

What a gem we have in the Florida Grand Opera. How lucky we are that we don't have to travel to see great operatic theater.

There are fireworks to be had in FGO's production of Lucia, a tour de voice for a coloratura soprano. The famous sopranos have sung the role: Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, and Beverly Sills have enthralled operagoers with Lucia. It's a tricky challenge, Donizetti has built in some heady trills and vocal acrobatics for his leading lady), and there's the famous Mad Scene where the lead loses it in the second act. It's been the draw for more than a hundred years to this drama.

Photographer:

Anna Christy lets loose as Lucia. Photo Credit: Chris Kakol.

Anna Christy is FGO's Lucia, full of fire, yet bordering on the brink of insanity. The famous soprano-versus-flute in Act II is "the moment" for Christy as she holds the audience in the palm of her hand. And it was the height of her virtuosity as she embraced Lucia. She canvassed the stage, hitting every crystal clear note, singing with multi-faceted expression, and bringing a Lucia to the Arsht stage that was full of so many memorable moments.

Perfectly paired vocally with her, were the male co-stars – the bel canto of tenor Joshua Guerrero as her star-crossed lover, Edgardo, and, on the other side, imposing baritone Trevor Scheunemann as her domineering brother, Enrico.

Photographer:

Edgardo (Joshua Guerrero), Raimondo (Kristopher Irmiter), Enrico (Trever Scheunemann) in Florida Grand Opera's Lucia di Lammermoor. Photo Credit: Chris Kakol.

Kristopher Irmiter as Raimondo was the chaplain who discovered the murderess in a blood soaked nightgown. Dominick Corbacio played Normanno, the captain of the guard, and tattletale to Enrico, telling of Lucia and Edgardo's twilight visits. Mary Beth Nelson was Lucia's woeful companion, while Chaz'men Williams-Ali sung the royal suitor, Arturo.

Photographer:

Lucia (Anna Christy), Edgardo (Joshua Guerrero). Photo Credit: Chris Kakol.

Conductor Alexander Polianichko's orchestra was moody in all the right places, sensitive in their agility, yet determined in their effectiveness. Whether it was the score itself, or the depth of the Arsht stage, sometimes the singers got lost among the music, still the melodies soared.

FGO has adapted the revivalist production of Lucia from Houston Grand Opera 2010-2011 season, and directed by Drama Desk and Tony Award-winning Scottish director John Doyle (Sweeney Todd, 2006, Broadway). It is perhaps one of the primary reasons to see this piece: beautifully minimalist backdrops with ominous clouds and muted tones that reflect a dreary Scotland landscape.

Photographer:

Lucia (Anna Christy), Edgardo (Joshua Guerrero). Photo Credit: Chris Kakol.

FGO's stage director for the production is Elise Sandell, who followed Doyle's blueprint, but, no doubt, brought to the stage some touches of her own.

Florida Grand Opera’s performs Lucia di Lammermoor through Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Arsht Center’s Ziff House, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

Tickets $23-$179; (800) 741-1010.

Also, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 at the Broward Center Au-Rene Theater, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets $21-$200; (800) 741-1010. 
More information at fgo.org.