Tune in to WRTI on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. to hear Teatro alla Scala’s 2026 production of Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. The production received great acclaim, particularly for soprano Rosa Feola’s gripping performance as Lucia. In an article for OperaWire, Bernardo Gaitan writes: “Possessing an even, beautiful, and technically impeccable voice, the Italian soprano created a heroine of profound psychological fragility, prioritizing dramatic truth over mere vocal display.”
Set in the Lammermuir Hills of southern Scotland, Lucia di Lammermoor centers on the titular Lucia and her conflicts with the wishes of her brother, Enrico. Wishing to preserve the Ashton family’s fortune, Enrico arranges for Lucia to be married to the nobleman Arturo Bucklaw. Lucia, however, is secretly in love with Edgardo, a sworn enemy of the Ashton family. Upon discovering the secret affair, Enrico becomes determined to prevent its consummation.
This production features soprano Rosa Feola as Lucia, baritone Boris Pinkhasovich as her brother, Enrico, and tenor Piero Pretti as the known enemy and secret lover, Edgardo. Tenor Leonardo Cortellazzi is Arturo Bucklaw; bass-baritone Michele Pertusi is the family chaplain, Raimando; tenor Paolo Antognetti is Normanno is Normanno, a servant of the family; and mezzo-soprano Hyeonsol Park is Lucia’s companion, Alisa. Speranza Scappucci, the first woman to conduct an opera at Teatro alla Scala, returns to conduct the Orchestra and Chorus.
Cast:
Rosa Feola as Lucia Ashton
Boris Pinkhasovich as Enrico Ashton
Piero Pretti as Edgardo di Ravenswood
Leonardo Cortellazzi as Arturo Bucklaw
Michele Pertusi as Raimando Bidebent
Paolo Antognetti as Normanno
Hyeonsol Park as Alisa
Speranza Scappucci conducts.