Performing transformation of the main role in the opera "Lucia di Lammermoor" by G. Donizetti

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to trail regularities of vocal evolution which has formed the transition of stage operatic development from Rossini to Verdi and which has predetermined the performing tradition of Lucia‘s role in Donizetti’s opera “Lucia Lammermoor “(1835) by light coloratura soprano in the second half of XIX century until the present day. The methodology of the study is based on the intonation approach to interaction of music and spoken word in B. Asafiev”s school in Ukraine and which corresponds to the trend of hermeneutics research of the musicology study, as offered in works of L. Zima, E. Markova, A. Roshchenko. The scientific novelty of the work is determined by originality of historical approach to vocal intonation change which has been given birth by Italian romanticism in its dissociation from the R. Wagner approach and which has been accepted as leading approach in operatic performing tradition. This concept coincides with the author's independent analysis of the main heroine in Donizetti’s opera. Conclusion. The role of Lucia in Donizetti‘s opera with its particular style of libretto and manifestation of both femininity and outstanding power resulting in madness forms the parallel to preceding operatic images of hers as well as contemporary images in the days of Donizetti. The composer’s approach to F. Takkinardi-Persiani’s interpretation of this role, however, points to a presentiment of the replacement of "Rossini" soprano by lyrical coloratura in the operas of Gounod. Still this replacement drove the performing of the dramatic role of Lucia by "light" coloratura sopranos - from A. Patti to A. Galli-Kurci, from A. Nezhdanova to E. Miroshnichenko and last not least author of the essay in reference. It is sincerity and faithfulness to the beloved one rather than power of nature which determine the core values of Lucia, forming an analogy to heroines in psychodramas of V. Rebikov, whose genius as a treasure of the Ukraine South became a discovery at the musical theater nowadays. As a consequence ” Lucia di Lammermoor” continuously occupies a significant place in the repertoire of Ukrainian opera houses.