An opera to remember
Philippine premiere of Donizetti’s acclaimed ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ enthralls Manila’s music lovers
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently held another successful and highly praised opera with the first Manila staging of “Lucia di Lammermoor” by the genius Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti.
Presented by Rustan Group of Companies, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation Inc., and the Embassy of Italy Manila, the gala night was attended by distinguished personalities and opera fans led by Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino, Rustan Group of Companies chair and CEO Nedy Tantoco, CCP President Nick Lizaso, and The Filipinas Opera Society Foundation Inc.’s Jaime Laya, Danny Dolor and Tina Turalba.
First performed in Naples in 1835, the Donizetti opera has since become a favorite among opera lovers, “with its vivid heroine, beautiful orchestration, Gothic story and psychologically realistic portrayal of a woman on the brink of collapse,” according to the program.
It follows the story of Lucia Ashton (played by soprano Melody Louledjian), a Scottish maiden who falls in love with Edgardo di Ravenswood (tenor Arthur Espiritu), the leader of the Ashtons’ political enemies, but is forced by her brother Enrico to marry another nobleman named Arturo. Believing her brother’s lie that Edgardo has betrayed her, Lucia is so gripped with devastation and grief that she begins to lose her sanity.
“Lucia di Lammermoor” is best known for arias such as “Il
dolce suono” and “Regnava nel silenzio,” among others. Lucia’s heartstopping mad scene has become one of the most famous moments in all opera.
Completing the Philippine cast are baritone Byeongin Park in the role of Lord Enrico Ashton, Lord of Lammermoor and Lucia’s brother; tenor Ivan Nery as Lord Arturo Bucklaw, Lucia’s bridegroom; bass Shi Zong as Raimondo Bidebent, a Calvinist chaplain; mezzosoprano Camille Lopezmolina as Alisa, Lucia’s handmaid; and tenor Nomher Nival as Normanno, a huntsman and retainer of Enrico.
Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini directed the opera and designed the set and costumes, with Ravivaddhana Monipong Sisowath as assistant director, Giovanni Pirandello as lighting director and Giampaolo Lomi Ormanni as creative project coordinator.
There was live orchestral accompaniment by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alessandro Palumbo, and the ensemble was also joined by the choral group Viva Voce Voice
Lab, with guest singers from various music schools in Manila and Iloilo.
The Manila staging of “Lucia di Lammermoor” was produced for the benefit of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. and the Philippine Italian Association Endowment Fund.
It was presented with Hilton Manila, SSI Group Inc., East West Bank, San Miguel Corp., LCS Group of Companies, Hermès, Danny Dolor, Ambassador and Ms. Antonio Lagdameo, Advanced Foundation Construction Systems Corp. and Rustan’s Coffee Corp. MAC Cosmetics Philippines was the official makeup sponsor.