How the former Emperor, Empress happily solve a ‘limitation’ in watching Lucia de Lammermoor

By Ibarra C. Mateo

Many years ago, when Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini directed the opera and designed the set and costumes for its Tokyo run, he was given FOUR MONTHS just to rehearse the cast.

Knowing the Japanese penchant for perfection, this was hardly surprising. Travaglini is among the key persons behind the 2020 CCP production of Lucia, which closes today with a 3 pm show.

Former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko are opera lovers. They would not miss the Travaglini’s Lucia.

Over lunch, Travaglini told us that there was one BIG limitation. The imperial couple, when they are in Japan, are not allowed by imperial protocol to be out of the palace in the evening for MORE THAN TWO HOURS. But the opera runs almost three hours including the intermissions.

To solve the limitation, the former Emperor and former Empress decided to arrive during the intermission before the third act. Those who had seen the opera would know why the former imperial couple decided to watch the third act. Kaya nood ka na sa CCP mamaya.

World famous Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu is Edgardo di Ravenswood and French soprano Melody Louledjian the Lucia Ashton in the Philippine premiere of Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia de Lammermoor” which closes today Feb. 2, 3 pm, at the CCP Main Theater.

From the genius of Italian composer Donizetti, with libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, the three-act opera follows the story of Lucia Ashton, a Scottish maiden who falls in love with Edgardo, the leader of the Ashtons’ political enemies.

However, Lucia is forced by her brother Enrico to marry another nobleman named Arturo. 

Together with Travaglini are Ravivaddhana Monipong Sisowath as assistant director, Giovanni Pirandello as lighting director and Giampaolo Lomi Ormanni as creative project coordinator.

Baritone Byeong In Park takes the role of Lord Enrico Ashton, Lord of Lammermoor and Lucia’s brother, while tenor Ivan Nery plays Lord Arturo Bucklaw, Lucia’s bridegroom.

Completing the opera cast are: bass Shi Zong as Raimondo Bidebent, a Calvinist chaplain; mezzo-soprano Camille Lopez-Molina as Alisa, Lucia’s handmaid; tenor Nomher Nival as Normanno, a huntsman and retainer of Enrico.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra provides live orchestral accompaniment, under the baton of Maestro Alessandro Palumbo. Choral group Viva Voce Voice Lab, with guest singers from the various music schools in Manila and Iloilo, joins the ensemble.

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#CCP #Opera #LuciadiLammermoor #GaetanoDonizetti #ArthurEspiritu #MelodyLouledjian