Last performed in 2002
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Synopsis
Act I, Scene 1 – Ruins of Ravenswood
Normanno, the chief huntsman of Enrico Ashton, urges his men to identify a stranger lurking about the grounds. Enrico, preoccupied with his declining fortunes, is disturbed that his sister, Lucia, refuses to marry Arturo Bucklaw. Raimondo suggests that Lucia's grief over her mother's death makes her reluctant, but Normanno declares that she is in love with Enrico's hated rival, Edgardo, the former Lord of Ravenswood. The huntsmen return with news that arouses Enrico's anger: the stranger is Edgardo.
Act I, Scene 2 – Park near Lammermoor
As Lucia and her companion Alisa impatiently await a secret meeting with Edgardo, Lucia recounts an ancestor's murder by a lover at the very fountain where they sit. She has seen the ghost arise from the fountain. Edgardo arrives and tells Lucia that he has been summoned to France and that he is determined to ask Enrico for Lucia's hand in marriage before departing. But Lucia, fearful of her brother, wants to keep their love a secret. Thus they solemnly exchange rings, each swearing that this symbolic gesture comprises a formal engagement. Promising to be faithful to Lucia, Edgardo departs.
Act II, Scene 1 – Ashton's Apartment, Lammermoor Castle
Normanno forges a letter relating Edgardo's faithlessness to Lucia. Having come to protest the inhuman harshness of her brother, Lucia learns that Arturo has arrived to marry her. When she reminds her brother of her pledge to another, Enrico produces the forged letter and pleads that his only salvation from his enemies is to ally his family with Arturo.
Act II, Scene 2 – Great Hall of Lammermoor Castle
As guests and retainers of Lammermoor greet Arturo, he assures Enrico that he will renew the Lammermoor fortunes. When Lucia arrives, Arturo signs the marriage contract. Barely aware of what she is doing, Lucia adds her signature just as Edgardo bursts into the hall demanding his bride. Raimondo produces the contract. When Lucia acknowledges her signature on the document, Edgardo returns her ring, takes his from her, and tramples it underfoot.
Act III, Scene 1 – Great Hall of Lammermoor Castle
The wedding guests crowd into the great hall, but Raimondo stops the celebration. He relates that when a mortal cry came from the wedding chamber, he entered to find Arturo dead and Lucia with a bloody dagger in her hand. The insane Lucia then appears, in her madness imagining that she has been granted permission to marry Edgardo. Her mind wanders to a vision of the church, of candles, and of the wedding ceremony. Discovering the truth as he rushes in, Enrico feels remorse at the sight of his sister. Lucia collapses, declaring that heaven will be empty for her until she is joined there by Edgardo.
Act III, Scene 2 – The Tombs of the Ravenswoods
Edgardo awaits a duel with Enrico among the tombs of the Ravenswoods. Lord Ashton's retainers bring news that Lucia is near death. Edgardo, hearing the death bell, starts off to see Lucia, but Raimondo stops him with news of her death. Heartbroken, Edgardo stabs himself, desiring to at last be united with Lucia in death.