Diana Damrau (Lucia)
© ROH | Stephen Cummiskey
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor ***
The Royal Opera, 7th April 2016
The warning signs were there. Patrons had received the email warning of graphic scenes of sex and violence. Katie Mitchell herself said at a Friends’ Insight evening that “I have a very strong feminist agenda. My focus for this opera is 100% on the female characters.” The message spelled out by the Royal Opera, fearing a repeat of the Guillaume Tell furore, was “Prepare to be shocked!” at this new Lucia di Lammermoor. Those determined to boo the director still pitched up and expressed their displeasure. Although Mitchell’s staging is flawed, it did shock… but in a good way.
Read the full review on Bachtrack.