Music 360
Fall 2012
History paper

Lucia di Lammermoor- Mad scene

Lucia di Lammermoor, written in 1835, is an opera by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) based on the novel The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott. The opera is often called a masterpiece and has, thus far, stood the test of time. It was not only popular in its day, but remains popular repertory today and performed by companies around the world every year. The “Mad Scene” has been remarked as a reason to go to the opera. The scene uses motives from earlier in the opera that show a mind going insane, in addition to utilizing elaborate coloratura and vocal flourishes. This opera is said to touch the heart the way few others can do, as a masterpiece and “heralding …show more content…

The cast was composed of some of the best opera talents of the time including Erminia Frezzolini who sang the role of Lucia. The opera has continued to be popular and many theatres around the world still hold the opera in its repertory. The mad scene takes place in Act III scene 2 in the Great Hall at Lammermoor, where guests are gathered to celebrate Lucia’s wedding. Raimondo appears and orders the rejoicing to stop. He tells them that he heard a cry from the bridal chamber, and when he arrived upon the scene, he saw Arturo lying dead on the floor, while Lucia was smiling in a bloodstained dress, holding a dagger. She walks into the hall, and immediately her mental state is recognized by all.18 The scene starts as jubilant with guests of the wedding celebrating who are then alarmed with the sight of Lucia and her madness. The guests are particularly disturbed by her bizarre happiness and look on with alarm as she sings her double aria. Donizetti brilliantly incorporates three