Lucia di Lammermoor
Viva Musica
City Hall Concert Hall
January 6
Created in 1835, Gaetano Donizetti's bel canto operatic masterpiece Lucia di Lammermoor is loosely based on a novel by Sir Walter Scott, itself drawn from a tragic real-life incident in 17th-century Scotland.
This is the third year in a row that Lo King-man and his Viva Musica group have presented one of the Italian composer's works as their annual stage production. However, this year sees a departure from the sunny comedy of La Fille du Regiment in 2010 and L'Elisir d'Amore in 2011.
Lucia and Edgardo fall in love despite their families being locked in a bitter feud. They exchange vows to marry but Lucia's brother Enrico forces her to marry the wealthy Arturo, whose political support he needs.
Edgardo bursts in upon the wedding and, believing Lucia has betrayed him, curses her. The broken-hearted Lucia subsequently goes mad, kills Arturo and dies herself. When Edgardo finds out, he kills himself so they can be united in heaven.
The title role is one of the supreme challenges of the coloratura soprano repertoire, identified with such greats as Maria Callas and Joan Sutherland. Slightly tentative at first, young Korean singer Sang-Eun Lee came into her own magnificently in act three. This was true bel canto singing with impeccable phrasing, pitch and tone. The big high notes were impressive and the cadenza where the soprano duets with a flute was exquisite.