Elkhanah Pulitzer to Direct LA Opera's LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, 3/15-4/6

A darkly romantic tale of family honor, betrayal and madness, Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor returns to LA Opera for the first time in a decade, conducted by Music Director James Conlon and directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer in her LA Opera debut.

The new production stars Albina Shagimuratova in the title role as the dagger-wielding Scottish lass and Saimir Pirgu as her secret lover, Edgardo. The production will feature the extensive use of state-of-the-art projections created by Wendall K. Harrington, plunging audiences into the mind of a young woman driven to madness. Lucia di Lammermoor will open on Saturday, March 15, 2014, and run for a total of six performances through April 6 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

About the opera: Based on an 1819 novel by Sir Walter Scott, who took inspiration from actual events that took place in 17th-century Scotland, the opera tells the story of a woman coerced by her family to marry against her will and betray the man she secretly loves. Descending into madness, she brutally murders her new husband in the bridal chamber before returning, covered in blood, to her wedding guests. Lucia's harrowing mad scene, a tour de force for coloratura soprano, has become one of the most famous moments in all of opera.

About the cast: The fast-rising Russian coloratura soprano Albina Shagimuratova, who will sing the title role, made her LA Opera debut in 2008 as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. She most recently reprised that role in December at the Metropolitan Opera-"technically flawless, luscious-toned and chilling" (New York Times). Earlier this month, she became the first Russian soprano to star in Lucia di Lammermoor at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan-"superlative bel canto technique...a triumph" (Corriere della Sera). Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu, whose previous roles in Los Angeles include Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi (2008) and Ferrando in Così fan tutte (2011), will perform the role of Lucia's secret lover, Edgardo. Baritone Stephen Powell sings the role of Enrico with bass James Creswell as Raimondo. For additional cast information, please click here.

About the creative team: Director Elkhanah Pulitzer previously staged LA Opera's 2008 production of Handel's Judas Maccabaeus at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Projection designer Wendall K. Harrington made her LA Opera debut with the elaborate animations and projections seen in the 2010 production of Franz Schreker's The Stigmatized (Die Gezeichneten). The creative team also includes scenery designer Carolina Angulo, costume designer Christine Crook, lighting designer Duane Schuler and chorus master Grant Gershon.

LA Opera will present six performances of Lucia di Lammermoor at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles CA 90012):

• Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 7:30pm (Opening Night)
• Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 7:30pm (Newcomer Night; KCRW Night)
• Sunday, March 23, 2014, at 2:00pm
• Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at 7:30pm
• Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 7:30pm (Hispanics for LA Opera Night)
• Sunday, April 6, 2014, at 2:00pm

Tickets to Lucia di Lammermoor start at $19 and can be purchased in person at the LA Opera Box Office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, by phone at 213.972.8001 or online at www.LAOpera.org. For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email laopera@laopera.org.