Just before the made scene the stage is moody and stark made of snow, shadows, and darkness.
Then comes the sound.
I lean forward from the Academy of Music’s worn warm red velvet seat. What on earth am I hearing? I pan the orchestra for this strange sound. It is an auditory oxymoron, both pleasant and discordant, like maybe if the gates of heaven hadn’t been oiled in a while.
The sound comes from a glass harmonica stationed in the low balcony. The instrument was invented by none other than Benjamin Franklin. While the original holds a gradient of glass bowls on a spindle, tonights version uses vertical glass tubes.
The sound is like an ancient mythical theremin and perfect for Lucia’s ‘mad scene.’ It’s a great opportunity for a coloratura soprano to play between the notes like a jazzy untrimmed geranium. Brenda Rae begins jerkily at first like a Japanese horror movie like it controls her, then begins to sing a duet with this alien sound. She collapses orgasmically writhing on the ground. Exhausted, she hits a final high note at the end as the full chorus comes back. It’s a fantastic descending journey.
Unforgettable.
The leads held strong voices throughout and the chorus was superb, but this felt like an inconsistent production that never fully came together. Regardless, never miss an opportunity to hear Lucia when she comes around.
Sorry for the spoiler, but the the red on Lucia’s dress is not from wine.
So what’s Lucia di Lammermoor all about? Lucia is mourning the loss of her mother. Her only solace is her love for the son of her families rival, Edgardo of Ravenwood who she marries in secret. Lucia’s brother Enrico however wants her to marry Arturo to help save the families financial situation. With the mood of an Edgar Allan Poe poem, Lucia and Enrico’s goals will determine the fate of all.
*Donizetti originally wrote Lucia for Franklin’s instrument though productions will often substitute a flute. Many others composers including Mozart wrote for Franklins instrument and are worth a google.
Notes on the production
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Composer……………………………..….. Gaetano Donizetti
Lucia………………………………………….. Brenda Rae
Edgardo…………………………………….. Michael Spyres
Raimondo………………………………….. Christian Van Horn
Arturo……………………………….……….. Andrew Owens
Enrico……………………………….……….. Troy Cook
Conductor………………………………….. Corrado Rovaris
Glass Harmonica…………….………….. Friedrich Heinrich Kern
Philadelphia Opera
9/31/18