GP at the Met: Lucia di Lammermoor | Great Performances

March 31st, 2009
GP at the Met: Lucia di Lammermoor
Lucia di Lammermoor preview

Donizetti’s beloved Lucia di Lammermoor stars the Met’s brightest star, Anna Netrebko, Wednesday, April 15 at 9 p.m. (ET) on Great Performances at the Met on PBS HD (check local listings).

Soprano Netrebko, returning to the Met stage for the first time since giving birth to son Tiago in September, dazzles in the demanding title role, a young woman driven to madness by love and politics. Piotr Beczala co-stars as Lucia’s head-strong lover Edgardo. The telecast is conducted by Marco Armiliato and presented by THIRTEEN in 5.1 surround sound.

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“These enormously gifted and appealing artists won ardent ovations,” cheered The New York Times. “We are lucky to have them around.”

Eschewing the work’s traditional 1700s Scottish setting, the production – by Mary Zimmerman and which opened the Met last season – was hailed by AP as “handsomely traditional and imaginatively provocative.” Zimmerman – along with set designer Daniel Ostling, costume designer Mara Blumenfeld, lighting designer T. J. Gerckens, and choreographer Daniel Pelzig – stages the bel canto favorite as a Victorian ghost story

The piece, with its famous Mad Scene (and Sextet), has long served as a vehicle for beloved coloratura sopranos. Since its premiere in 1836, it has showcased such legendary interpreters as Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills, and, most recently Anna Netrebko and Natalie Dessay.

Also featuring baritone Mariusz Kwiecien as Lucia’s brother, Enrico, and Ildar Abdrazakov as Raimondo, Great Performances at the Met: Lucia di Lammermoor is the sixth of 11 productions airing this season on the series. It is sung in Italian with English surtitles; Salvatore Cammarano wrote the libretto. The production was transmitted onstage as part of The Met: Live in HD February 7, 2009, and recorded for this telecast. Gary Halvorson directs, with Natalie Dessay as host. Jay Saks is audio producer.

Great Performances at the Met is a production of THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG – one of America’s most prolific and respected public media providers.

Great Performances is funded by the Irene Diamond Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, Vivian Milstein, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public television viewers, and PBS. Corporate support for Great Performances at the Met is provided by Toll Brothers.

For the Met, Mia Bongiovanni and Elena Park are Supervising Producers, and Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik are Producers. Peter Gelb is Executive Producer. For Great Performances, Bill O’Donnell is Series Producer; David Horn is Executive Producer.

Tags: Anna Netrebko, GP at The Met, love, Lucia di Lammermoor, madness, Mary Zimmerman, Opera

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80 comments

04/13/2009 :: 09:28:02 PM
Mercedes Castillo Says:

It is great to get educated with wonderful plays like this one, this Opera is marvelous. Thank you
so much for the arts you passing to our genera-
tion.

04/15/2009 :: 09:46:07 PM
Luisa Says:

This season has been a marvel! Thank you so much for showcasing great art and magnificent artists! I look forward to the future with great anticipation…..

04/15/2009 :: 11:30:00 PM
Else Tracy Says:

This was a wonderful stirring performance – wonderful singing, acting and staging. Would love to have it on a DVD to watch again.

04/15/2009 :: 11:32:41 PM
Maurice Chayt Says:

Beautifully done and masterfully staged and I’m not even an opera fan.

04/15/2009 :: 11:32:59 PM
Seth Says:

Yes! Yes! Yes! Absolutely in the Romantic tradition…where may I order a dvd????!!!!!

04/15/2009 :: 11:33:04 PM
Paul Himmelstein Says:

The Lucia broadcast was great, but how about running the credits at a speed where we could actually read them? If the people listed made important contributions (including the cast!) then they should receive the credit they deserve. Also, listing the entire cast and crew where it it easily read on the website (I could not find a complete listing) would also make sense!

04/15/2009 :: 11:33:30 PM
Jane Says:

There should be a cast list.

04/15/2009 :: 11:34:05 PM
Annette Loeffen Says:

The Lucia performance was dazzling! Netrebko was wonderful, and Beczala was remarkable in taking over – his future is bright!

04/15/2009 :: 11:35:03 PM
Kenneth Adler Says:

Unfortuately The era of great Lucias has passed. One could only hope that sopranos like Sutherland, Sills and Caballe will return again someday to sing this marvelous repertoire.

#10

04/15/2009 :: 11:37:54 PM
Robert MacPherson Says:

Piotr Beczala’s Fra poco a me recovero is the best I have ever heard and that includes Pavarotti and Kraus.

#11

04/15/2009 :: 11:39:29 PM
Lynn Kickingbird Says:

Thank you for bringing my favorite opera into my living room! Magnificent voices and I loved the victorian “take.” Will it be in DVD?

#12

04/15/2009 :: 11:40:00 PM
Ann Winkelstein Says:

Marvelous performance. Netrebko was superb. A thrilling evening.

#13

04/15/2009 :: 11:42:33 PM
Dan Volper Says:

Stunning, breathtaking performance

#14

04/15/2009 :: 11:42:42 PM
Ann Kondak Says:

Subperb. Give us more of these performances. Cast was wonderful, production same. Thank you.

#15

04/15/2009 :: 11:43:11 PM
Nathalie Says:

Thank you so much for having such programs. Mariusz Kwiecien was fantastic.

#16

04/15/2009 :: 11:43:24 PM
leslie wyner Says:

It was wonderful.It was thrilling.Far more entertaining than the pedestrian junk flung from the box at us.These are creative and talented people and I applaud them.

#17

04/15/2009 :: 11:45:00 PM
Lawrence Scheinman Says:

The performance of Lucia was absolutely outstanding; the performers were stellar and we have been Callas, Bergonzi,pavoratti, Sills and many other great operatic performers.

#18

04/15/2009 :: 11:45:03 PM
Geoff Gelke Says:

Netrebko is obviously the greatest Lucia since
Southerland and perhaps some at that- with her
absolute crysteline voice- now, where is Corelli?

#19

04/15/2009 :: 11:45:35 PM
marcia Says:

Anna was great and Piotr is a rising star, but no one, especially Sutherland and Sills, can compare to the great one, Maria Callas. She knew how to sing bel canto!!!

#20

04/15/2009 :: 11:45:42 PM
Adeline Bethany Says:

Outstanding performance. Netrebko not only sings magnificently by dramatizes the role realistically. Slow down the cast listing.

#21

04/15/2009 :: 11:47:44 PM
marion Says:

It was great to see this broadcast following the HD performance in February. I was disappointed that Villazon did not appear, but Piotr Beczala was wonderful as Edgardo. I greatly admire Sutherland in the title role, but Netrebko was
marvelous. Altogether a lovely production.

#22

04/16/2009 :: 12:08:44 AM
Dwight Arno Says:

This performance was a GREAT one. Thank you dear God for these wonderful and great new voices.

#23

04/16/2009 :: 12:10:51 AM
elizabett valois Says:

how about a cast list..or doesn’t the public pay enough money to support it. Maybe one of the rich corporations who give us so many detestable commercials on so called public tv could throw in a few pennies toward the list! Thanks

#24

04/16/2009 :: 12:19:30 AM
Oleh J. Rumak Says:

Superb! Such a cast! So glad that Netrebko has returned. In all, a remarkable production. Encore please!

#25

04/16/2009 :: 12:32:28 AM
Harriet Mednick Says:

The opera was wonderful. I literally did not move off the sofa while watching it. I do agree, however, that the credits should be run slowly; in fact, Netrebko’s bows were not shown–program cut off before that.

#26

04/16/2009 :: 12:33:29 AM
Eva Jedruch Says:

Superb trio of voices – Beczala, Abdrazakov, and Kwiecien! Netrebko happily toned down her earlier shrillness and did a splendid Lucia, though she could be a mite less buxom for that role.

#27

04/16/2009 :: 12:33:59 AM
WWally Piontkowski Says:

I also would like to see the credits at a speed that is readable. Who was the tenor Edgardo? He was fabulous.

#28

04/16/2009 :: 12:36:33 AM
Doris Hollenbach Says:

Consumate and touching performances by all. A wonderful production; worthy of artistic respect.

#29

04/16/2009 :: 01:02:11 AM
Jerry Jacobson Says:

Re: Kenneth Adler’s and Marcia’s comments: I did not have privilege of seeing Callas, Sutherland, etc. as Lucia, but I can’t see how anyone could have been much better than Netrebko–gazooks what an instrument!
What a production! What a cast! And almost as amazing–it was free! Thank you PBS and the Met and all concerned with the production.

#30

04/16/2009 :: 01:04:31 AM
N. Francis Says:

Unbelievable, after all that, that we were denied her final bows !!!
And what is this anonymous cast business??? For shame !!
A perfectly gorgeous performance turned tacky for lack of the graces !!
Having said that, yes we need a repeat AND the DVD !!
N. Francis

#31

04/16/2009 :: 01:07:55 AM
M.C Wolgamott Says:

As noted by several of the previous commentators, the credits are zipped by too fast. In addition a ltttle biography on the principle singers such as is given on the Saturday afternoon broadcasts would be appreciated.

#32

04/16/2009 :: 02:47:26 AM
Maria Loyer-Quintero Says:

Thank you so much.Absolutly the best. great performance.Lucia so lovely great acting and sings like a dream ,Eduardo, Great!a wonderful evening.

#33

04/16/2009 :: 03:08:45 AM
Elliot Sevier Says:

Outstanding production, as only the Met can do. No doubt Joan Sutherland was the best Lucia in my lifetime, and I have seen Ruth Ann Swenson in 1999, and Natalie Dessay in 2008 (both in San Francisco). Netrebko was right up there with the best. Certainly Piotr Beczala was up to his role as Edgardo. If there was a weak point it was Kwiecien in the first act,. He forced his voice and over acted his role. The best thing about all of this is that we finally got great musical performance on PBS, uninterupted by solications for money. Thank you PBS, and thank you Metroplitan Opera.

#34

04/16/2009 :: 03:12:31 AM
Leona Guastavino Says:

Why an unreadable cast list? Someone replacing hardly mentioned he was excellent. Moving of sets amazing. Voices with no wobbles, hooray! Thank you for an A-1 performance.

#35

04/16/2009 :: 08:35:05 AM
Jim Olson Says:

Wonderful performance! Anna Netrebko and the rest of the cast did an excellent job. It was great to see this without an interminable plea for more money.

#36

04/16/2009 :: 10:01:44 AM
Frank Garner Says:

Sadly, I tuned in late on Lucia, but was thrilled by the magnificent voice and performance of Piotr Beczala. I am sure we will hear more of him!

#37

04/16/2009 :: 10:57:31 AM
Kalina Braun Says:

Thank you PBS for a night at the Met at HOme!!
Lucia kept me spellbound!! The subtitles helped a lot!

#38

04/16/2009 :: 11:06:15 AM
linda urdiales Says:

Will there be other Met broadcasts??

#39

04/16/2009 :: 12:36:35 PM
Jo Ellen Coppersmith Says:

I love opera and just happened to turn on Great Performances last night in time for the opening overture. The entire production was superb!-Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala brilliant. Kudos also to the film directors and camera people who worked their magic so those of us at home could have the best seats in the house! Thank you, thank you, PBS.

#40

04/16/2009 :: 12:54:23 PM
Reg Faust Says:

It has been years since I last heard this opera. Last evening Mary Jane and I were greatly impressed with Anna Netrebko’s magnificent singing and powerful acting – particularly in the ” Mad Scene.” The entire cast supporting her, from lover, villain and father, did so as a team.
Thank you so very much for another captivating performance from the Met.
did so convincingly

#41

04/16/2009 :: 12:56:20 PM
Richard Mansfield Says:

A wonderfully rich twist on the Romeo and Juliet theme. It is nice to have a second chance to see what I missed live in February at my local theatre. Four stars at least.

#42

04/16/2009 :: 02:32:57 PM
James Sampson Says:

What a happy accident to be flipping channels at just the right time! What a sumptuous, well-sung,well-acted(!), well-directed, well-conceived production of a musical “antique”. I was swept away for the entire performance! Thank you! May I suggest that in a curtain call similar to the one used for this production, singer credits are shown w/singer name and character name adjacent as they appear for their respective bow. (According to friends, I seem to have missed the intro by Ms. Dessay re singers, etc.) In any event, THANKS again for a grand night in the “opera house”!

#43

04/16/2009 :: 02:46:57 PM
Dr. John Mikes Says:

General comment: with the technology of the 3rd millennium it may be possible to show the WHITE subtitles NOT IN THE WHITE bottom part of the pictures, rather on top, which is mostly dark.
Boring technical inadequacy!!!!
Dr. Mikes

#44

04/16/2009 :: 03:10:54 PM
Jon Reiskind Says:

Yes, magnificent. Any chance of getting a HD DVD?

#45

04/16/2009 :: 03:13:31 PM
Rosalind Renouard Says:

What a wonderful night at the opera. Anna Netrebko’s singing was supurb. Great Performances merits its name and is one of the many reasons why I contribut to PBS.

#46

04/16/2009 :: 05:22:13 PM
Fannie Says:

It was great to watch Lucia di Lammermoor on prime time last night. Since so many people missed Thais, can this be a re-run on prime time?
Can I buy Thais on DVD?

#47

04/16/2009 :: 05:45:48 PM
Bob Starr Says:

Lucia is one of my favorite operas and Anna Netrebko my favorite artist, so I’ve been checking your member magazine for some time to see when this was coming on. Unfortunatly it was not listed, so I missed it. Why was it not listed? Could the magazine have a seperate listing of Great Performances each month? This would be helpful also. Please show it again and let us know when. Will their be a DVD available?

#48

04/16/2009 :: 06:08:37 PM
Natalia Says:

Abysmal. I really can’t say anything good about it. Is this the best the opera world can manage these days? How sad.

#49

04/16/2009 :: 06:42:34 PM
Deborah Says:

I was stuck in a hotel room, working out of town. Thought I’d give opera a chance. Loved it! Told the 5th graders all about it today, so maybe they’ll be open to opera too.

#50

04/16/2009 :: 07:35:05 PM
Thomas Says:

This was an extremely fine production overall. Netrebko is an exceptional singer. Mariusz Kwiecien was the star of the show turning a bland role into a true catalyst. Outstanding. Piotr Beczala was a pleasant surprise too. Overall the best production I’ve seen from the Met in recent years, though the Callas/Sutherland Lucias are still better.

#51

04/16/2009 :: 09:41:41 PM
Dan Says:

Absoutely riveting! What a great production!

#52

04/16/2009 :: 10:53:47 PM
Claude L. Le Vallée Says:

At three in the morning it could not have been better, slept like a kitten after this, MOST beautiful, wonderful performance!

#53

04/16/2009 :: 10:56:41 PM
Joan Says:

My mother and I were riveted to the TV. Anna Netrebko was outstanding and believable. Her expressions were spot on as she performed each part. Bravo! to KET. keep these performances coming.

#54

04/17/2009 :: 12:31:30 AM
Chung Says:

I was on vacation and happened tuned to this broadcasting– and it was thrilling. Stage was great and all performers were superb. Anna can match Callas!!

#55

04/17/2009 :: 01:35:55 AM
Richard Says:

Fantastic production and performances. I was only able to catch part, but do hope a DVD of this performance becomes available soon to permit seeing the entire opera.

#56

04/17/2009 :: 02:30:25 AM
chip greene Says:

Truly a great performance. Almost makes me forget Sills, Bergonzi and Cappucilli. I NEED this on DVD. When will be available?

#57

04/17/2009 :: 11:11:15 AM
Beverly Fitzsimmons Says:

Two days later, Anna’s person and voice are in
my mind …and ears. Magnificent Lucia!
Thank you.

#58

04/17/2009 :: 06:30:20 PM
A.S. Fendler Says:

Where can I purchased the outstanding performance..

#59

04/18/2009 :: 01:07:23 AM
N. P. Jones Says:

I was only able to catch the breathtaking “mad scene”–I too want to be able to order a DVD or catch a repeat. Will it be shown again?

#60

04/18/2009 :: 11:03:44 AM
Eunice Ruby Says:

Where can I purchase? We were overelmed.

#61

04/18/2009 :: 09:13:01 PM
Peter Ross Says:

Thanks to The Met and PBS for this classic Lucia. Anna Netrebko fits right in with Sutherland, Callas and Pons as spectacular Lucia’s. Mad Scene is one of the best of all time thanks to terrific actress/vocalist together with impressive cinematography. High praise to all.

#62

04/18/2009 :: 11:23:14 PM
Ida Nelson Says:

This was a fantastic production absolutely riveting.If you mentioned the date of the next Met. opera on PBS at the end of the broadcast it would help !

#63

04/19/2009 :: 03:34:37 PM
Simone Vest Says:

Absolutely wonderful! Great stars, great singing and although as a rule I prefer the original libretto’s intended setting, the Victorian setting was quite appropriate and I thought the wedding photo scene was sheer genius!

#64

04/19/2009 :: 08:04:52 PM
Anna Szpakowska Says:

Absolutely wonderful! What a cast, what a performance! Fantastic production! Also, having two of my countryman, Piotr Beczala and Mariusz Kwiecien by Anna Netrebko’s side was a trill! Thanks MET!!!

#65

04/20/2009 :: 10:13:42 AM
Tina Says:

Thank you! Thank you! That was the best opera, and the best singers. Anna is incredible, as were all the singers in this performance. Please, give us a repeat of this performance again and DVD version to purchase!

#66

04/20/2009 :: 12:36:03 PM
Lynn Hewitt Says:

Fabulous. Two requests: cast list and, for the subtitles, could they be shown on a faintly grayed background? Some essential ones could barely be read and took too much attention from the singing while trying to make them out.

#67

04/20/2009 :: 04:08:32 PM
Margaret A. Auci Says:

Superb performance. Anna Netrebko was brillant and her acting superb! Will this performance be repeated and if so, how soon? Thank you for this outstanding program.

#68

04/20/2009 :: 08:24:13 PM
Laurie Verson Says:

It is delightful to see (from what I know), the entire “Lucia di Lammermoor”!! The cast was outstanding!! I loved the addition of the ghost. It was unforgetable! Thank you for airing this opera.

#69

04/20/2009 :: 10:35:27 PM
nelly rosenberg Says:

the cast was outstanding… Lucia’s voice is
memorable… she is a phenomenal actress.
Edgardo was also unforgettable. Thank you so much for airing this opera

#70

04/20/2009 :: 10:52:10 PM
Lillian Bayone Says:

I tuned in during the second act and would love to see the entire performance. Will it be playing again?

#71

04/21/2009 :: 04:45:32 PM
Muriel Pritchett Says:

Another vote for a DVD of this performance!

#72

04/21/2009 :: 11:38:05 PM
Opera Ghost Says:

Elliot Sevier,
Out of curiosity, how old are you? Excellence in opera is very subjective, but in my opinion Lily Pons is the finest Lucia I have ever heard (she retired about 1960). Better than Sutherland, Callas or Sills. The best currect Lucia for my money is Sumi Jo.
If you get a chance, try the Columbia Masterworks recording (now available in CD) of Lucia with Pons and Tucker in the key roles.

#73

04/26/2009 :: 08:24:40 PM
Dinah Says:

I loved seeing the faces with the singing. Impressive to see “young” stars in the big roles.
They were all beautiful. Loved it!

#74

04/27/2009 :: 11:46:41 AM
Diedre Says:

I fell in love with Anna Netrebko all over again when I saw her in this performance. I also would love a dvd of this!

#75

04/27/2009 :: 05:10:59 PM
fred Says:

I missed the show but I would like to have a copy of this production asap. Please advise how can I obtain a copy. Thanks so much for your prompt respond.

#76

04/30/2009 :: 09:58:56 PM
OperaFan Says:

On your site I am trying to find what you have scheduled this year for rebroadcasting Live At the Met, but by genre I can’t get past March 2009, and by month (the calendar option) I get everything, which is too much to wade through. Which Live At the Met performances are coming up? I’m disappointed that I couldn’t plan ahead to watch the ones done so far. will you be doing the Minghella production of Madama Butterfly? (Your website needs a little fine-tuning.)

#77

05/21/2009 :: 01:22:59 PM
T Ferguson Says:

I am not an opera buff, but came across this while channel surfing and was mesmerized. Bravo!

#78

07/14/2009 :: 10:29:43 PM
L. Verson Says:

I adored this production of Lucia! It was a masterpiece!! Thank you so much for airing it on PBS! I hope that a DVD is made from this particular “Lucia.” All I can say is “BRAVO”!!!

#79

08/29/2009 :: 11:59:50 PM
Maria Negri Says:

Why can you not list the complete cast of the operas? Of course, the gaffer wants to see his name on TV, but I am more interested in the singers. Thank you.

#80

09/05/2009 :: 10:59:44 PM
Frank McGuinness Says:

Luckily I caught the Labor Day rebroadcast. This is the first Lucia who seems to know what madness is. Voice is important and Netrebko certainly has it, but I was fascinated with the mad scene! As a clinical social worker I have seen the ‘reality’ behind the schizophrenic’s joy in being able to deny the pain of this reality and Netrebko is the only one I’ve ever seen capture this. Her eyes during the first applause attest to her skills. Holding the presentation through several seconds of interuption took remarkable concentration. Brava! Alas, the ‘ghost’ shattered the mood.

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