'Lucia' staged by West Bay Opera 'Lucia' staged by West Bay Opera (February 09, 2005)

Donizetti's classic opera "Lucia di Lammermoor," which combines soaring bel canto singing with a tragic tale of madness and suicide, will open on the West Bay Opera stage Friday, February 18, with performances at Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto.

The production will be staged Friday through Sunday through February 27. Performances are at 8 p.m., with a final 2 p.m. performance on February 27.

With libretto by Salvatore Cammarano, based on "The Bride of Lammermoor" by Sir Walter Scott, the opera tells the story of a woman tricked by her self-serving brother into marrying a man she didn't love, leading to her demise and that of her true love.

Saundra DeAthos and Marnie Breckenridge will alternate in the role of Lucia. Harold Gray Meers and Christopher Bengochea will portray Edgardo in alternating performances.

Jordan Shanahan will sing the role of Enrico; and Todd Robinson, that of Raimondo.

David Sloss is music director, and David Ostwald is stage director.

The three-act opera -- which includes the haunting "Mad Scene" made famous by such divas as Callas and Scotto, Sutherland and Sills -- will be sung in Italian, with English supertitles.

Tickets are $46, general; and $23 for youth under 17 or students with valid ID. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 424-9999, or log on at wbopera.org.

A free preview of the opera will be presented at the Palo Alto Art Center on Thursday, February 10, at 8 p.m. It will include musical excerpts sung by the cast and talks by the directors.

The art center is at 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto.

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