Lucia di Lammermoor

After a four year absence, Joan Sutherland returned triumphantly to the Met, in the role which assured her international fame at Covent Garden in 1959. So, 23 years later, in her early to mid 50s, she gave a performance of astounding facility and musical sensitivity in this TV recording, which later became this classic video.

Though, she made one more "Lucia" video two years later, this Met production captures Sutherland's definitive Lucia for posterity. The conductor, the orchestra, and the rest of the cast is also impressive. Alfredo Kraus, in the role of Lucia's lover matches her musicality, in a performance with all the elements which have defined the veteran tenor's trademark. It is a historic opera video. One, no opera fan can miss, and preferably own.

I bought this DVD because I'm a big fan of this opera and the reviews where very good. But, alas, I am a bit disappointed. One thing I maybe should have known is that Joan Sutherland is a great soprano, but not a great woman to look at and not just a bit older than Lucia is supposed to be. So although Sutherland sings her part very well, she's absolutely no feast to look at. When you add to this that the staging and the clothes of the cast are quite old-fashioned, you will understand that in the future I'll prefer listening to this DVD to watching it. And as for listening, I find this performance a little bit to much up-tempo to my liking. Especially the beautiful duet "Verranno a te sull'aure" is not, as full of as we say in Dutch "weemoed en verlangen" (melancholy and desire) as it should be, i.m.h.o. All that said, the singers in this performance are great and do a really great job.

One word, unmissable. You are seriously missing out if you haven't seen this, it is absolutely fantastic in every sense. Dame Joan Sutherland, one of the greatest colouratura sopranos ever, gives an astounding performance in the title role, singing some of the fiendishly difficult arias with effortless bravado. Alfredo Kraus also impresses as Edgardo, with his strong tenor voice and handsome stature, as does Pablo Elviro as the scheming Enrico and Paul Plishka as a typically sonorous Raimondo. The orchestra was fabulous, what a sound it made, born to do Bel Canto. As for the score by Donizetti, and I mustn't forget the score... it was outstanding. From the beautiful sextet to the challenging Mad Scene that will give you goosebumps, it was an absolute joy to the ears. Not to mention the gorgeous costumes and sets, that was just how I imagined it. This version of Lucia Di Lammermoor is an essential to your opera collection, and a delight from start to finish. 10/10 Bethany Cox