Lucia di Lammermoor
Gaetano Donizetti
23 | 27 | 29 | 31 August
Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, based on Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor
First performed 26th September 1835 at Teatro di San Carlo, Naples
Director Thomas Guthrie
Conductor Oliver Gooch
Designer Ruth Paton
With the Bristol Ensemble and If Opera chorus
Orchestral reduction supplied by Pocket Publications
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Madly in love…
One of the most revered of 19th century operas, Lucia di Lammermoor follows the fortunes of Lucia (Lucy Ashton) sister of the Lord of Lammermoor, and the enmity they have for the Ravenswood family. Lucia is in love with Edgardo of the Ravenswoods, but her brother Enrico, has other plans for her matrimony.
The opera is a gothic thriller, complete with ghostly apparitions, duels and acts of revenge. But it has become most famous for the elongated, so-called ‘mad scene’ in which Lucia, having murdered her imposed husband Arturo, embarks on one of the most challenging and thrilling arias in the entire repertoire, ‘Il dolce suono’.
To project the power of this opera and Donizetti’s beautiful music to full advantage, we have reconfigured the seating so that the audience surrounds the stage and the opera is directed as an 'in the round' performance. This creates real proximity with the performance and an immersive experience for this most thrilling of dramas, particularly for the front row seats surrounding the stage.
With a stellar cast directed by Thomas Guthrie, an innovative and award-winning British director, and conducted by Oliver Gooch, Lucia di Lammermoor is the magnificent centrepiece of the If Opera 2024 season.
Dates & Times
Friday 23 August
Tuesday 27 August
Thursday 29 August
Saturday 31 August
5:00pm Gardens open
7:00pm Performance starts
9:45pm Approximate end
Tickets
£20.00 - £115.00 Members
£20.00 - £120.00 Non-members
Children aged 12+ are welcome & under 18’s go free (limited availability, please enquire at Bath Box Office)
No dogs are permitted, except for assistance dogs
Or call Bath Box Office on: 01225 463 362
Visit our membership page to access Priority Booking, Member Pricing and other benefits.
Venue
Belcombe Court, Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LZ
Wet weather
Our purpose-built theatre is fully covered and performances go ahead whatever the weather.
Accessibility
Our auditorium is accessible for wheelchairs. If you, or any member of your party require particular seating or have access needs, please inform Bath Box Office when booking your tickets to ensure we reserve the correct seating area for you.
Picnics & bar
Guests are welcome to bring tables and chairs or rugs to picnic within the extensive grounds of Belcombe Court as well as visit our pop-up bar. Please note, there are limited sheltered areas if the weather is wet.
Travel
Wherever possible, we urge you to use public transport or car share to reduce the traffic pressure on this historic town.
On foot ~ Belcombe Court is a 15-minute walk uphill from Bradford on Avon town centre.
By car ~ free parking is available at Belcombe Court.
By taxi ~ there is a taxi service located at the railway station. Visit www.bradfordonavon-taxis.co.uk for taxi bookings.
By train ~ there are regular trains to Bradford on Avon from London (change at Bath), Bristol and Westbury. Visit www.gwr.com for train timetables and services.
By bus ~ there are regular bus services from Bristol, Bath and Salisbury to Bradford on Avon. Visit www.firstbus.co.uk for bus timetables and services.
Please note, we have reconfigured the seating so that the audience surrounds the stage and the opera is directed as an 'in the round' performance. This creates real proximity with the performance and an immersive experience for this most thrilling of dramas.