Cincinnati Opera Presents 'Lucie de Lammermoor'

June 28th 2008

Saturday, 7:30 PM

Lucie de Lammermoor is the French version of Donizetti's 1835 classic Lucia di Lammermoor, as he reworked it in 1839 for the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris. In Donizetti's best-known tragic opera, Lucia's hopes to marry her secret love, Edgardo, are dashed when her greedy brother, Enrico, forces her into a financially strategic marriage for his convenience with Arturo. Even her chaplain and tutor Raimondo encourages her to renounce her vow to Edgardo. This French version of the classic Italian opera expands the role of the huntsman Normanno into Gilbert, a scheming character who forces Lucia's brother Enrico to play a more villainous role, and the earlier history of the romance between Lucia and Edgardo is clarified.

Singing the roles of the lovers are two quickly rising stars: American soprano Sarah Coburn and American tenor Mark Panuccio. Ms. Coburn won the hearts of Cincinnatians in her stellar performances of Oscar in A Masked Ball (2006) and Olympia in The Tales of Hoffmann (2006). Of her performances the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote: "Sarah Coburn is a rising star of the kind one feels lucky to witness." Mr. Panuccio brings his "always sweet-toned, supple and graceful, adroitly acted and clear-toned voice" (Opera News) to his starring role debut with Cincinnati Opera as Edgardo. The Cincinnati Enquirer called his recent Cincinnati recital debut "a landmark in the voice world."

French-Canadian baritone Gaétan Laperrière brings his "richly warm, sonorous baritone voice" (Opera News) to his Cincinnati Opera debut in the role of Enrico. Also debuting is Canadian bass Alain Coulombe with a "rich, commanding basso" (Toronto Star) as Raimondo and American tenor John McVeigh with "his bright tenor and animated presence" (Opera News) in the role of Arturo. Tenor Jeremy Cady will sing the role of Gilbert.

Maestro Jean-Marie Zeitouni returns to conduct after leading Cincinnati's dazzling production of L'Étoile (2006).