ÓPERA DE TENERIFE PUTS ON 'LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR', DONIZETTI’S MOST FREQUENTLY PERFORMED OPERA

Ópera de Tenerife puts on Lucia di Lammermoor, the most frequently performed opera by Gaetano Donizetti. A coproduction of Ópera de Tenerife with Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires and Fundación Ópera de Oviedo. The second title in the season takes us to one of the most iconic Romantic dramas, Lucia di Lammermoor.

The details were disclosed today, Thursday 15^th, by the island director for Culture José Luis Rivero; Ópera de Tenerife intendent, Alejandro Abrante; musical director, Christopher Franklin; stage manager, Nicola Berloffa, and singers Irina Lungu and Celso Albelo, representing a cast that includes Andrei Kymach, Mariano Buccino, David Astorga, Vittoria Vimercatti and Klodjan Kaçani.

In José Luis Rivero’s opinion, “this title is a major turning point for Ópera de Tenerife because it’s a palpable sign of maturity, and shows the artistic and production level achieved, as a result of the work done by the whole team”. “The best operas in the Canaries come from Ópera de Tenerife which are also top level nationally and are very well regarded internationally”, he added to then point out that “Lucia di Lammermoor is an iconic title in Donizetti repertoire and it has great dramatic quality”.

Irina Lungu, who is in Tenerife for the first time, said that “I’m happy to be performing at Auditorio de Tenerife for the first time”. It has great acoustics and a fantastic energy, I feel at ease here; it’s a real discovery and I’d like to thank the professionals at Ópera de Tenerife for treating me so well”. About the role she is performing next week, she highlighted that “every soprano should sing this Lucia because it’s like the beginning of singing, the foundation of it all” and revealed that “this role has two parts: the one written by Donizetti and the cadence given to it by the first performers, which has reached the present through tradition”. Her favourite moment is “madness, where my vocal virtuosity blends with my acting”.

For his part, Celso Albelo admits that “coming back home is an honour and it also involves responsibility: I feel particularly proud because on the Tenerife stage we can now see artists who have opened the present season in great theatres worldwide. Ópera de Tenerife has achieved a lot in very little time.  Their Lucia di Lammermoor gives off musical and stage elegance” and says that Irina Lungu “has one of the most beautiful soprano voices in the present”.

Christopher Franklin is the musical director of this production. This is his first time at Ópera de Tenerife after directing in the main opera houses in the world. Franklin highlighted the quality of Sinfónica de Tenerife. “It’s a fantastic orchestra, virtuous”. About the show next week, he pointed out that “we’re dealing with one of the most difficult repertoires in the world” and believes that “Donizetti wrote high-spirited sounds that have to do with life”.

Stage manager Nicola Berloffa, is back at Ópera de Tenerife after working in Die Zauberflöte (2012 and 2018), Cosí fan tutte (2013) and Carmen (2016), to take us with this Lucia di Lammermoor to late 1940s Scotland at the height of the post-war period. Berloffa points out that “this show is extremely difficult for every stage manager because it’s a masterpiece. One must follow both the libretto and the dramaturg, which cannot be changed.

The libretto is by Salvadore Cammarano, based on the novel The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott, and music by Gaetano Donizetti. The story, by means of vocal virtuosity and a difficult score, introduces us into the mishaps and tribulations of ties of blood and love. This story of conspiracies between two rival families and one single fate was premiered on 26 September 1835 at Teatro San Carlo in Naples.

Costumes, designed by Justin Arienti, who is also making his debut in Ópera de Tenerife, have a simple cut and have a low-key colour scheme, in line with the precarious clothing after the war, although there are references to Scottish culture by using kilts.

Lighting is in the hands of Valerio Tiberi, in Ópera de Tenerife for the first time. The Romantic essence of the drama will be conveyed by the use of chiaroscuros.  Tiberio, teaches lighting design at Accademia Teatro alla Scala in Milan and has a long career in musical and opera shows.

The show is on Tuesday 20^th, Thursday, 22^nd and Saturday, 24^th at 7:30 pm at Sala Sinfónica in Auditorio de Tenerife. Tickets for the three performances -Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday- can be bought at Auditorio de Tenerife box office from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, Monday to Saturday, on www.auditoriodetenerife.com clicking here or calling 902 317 327.

Creative Team

Musical Director: Christopher Franklin

Stage Manager: Nicola Berloffa

Stage and Costume Designer: Justin Arienti

Coproduction: Auditorio de Tenerife, Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires and Fundación Ópera de Oviedo

Ópera de Tenerife Choir