The premiere of Gaetano Donizzeti’s opera Lucia di Lammermoor will take place at the Latvian National Opera on May 24.

The Musical Director and Conductor of the new production is Christoph Stiller from the Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Stage Director – Andrejs Žagars, Set Designer – Andris Freibergs, Costume Designer – Kristīne Pastrenaka, Lighting Designer– Kevin Wyn-Jones, Choreographer - Elita Bukovska.

The production of the one of the most popular bel canto operas is set in Mussolini’s Italy – a visually imposing, beautifully monumental era, indifferent to human life and free will. In the title role – the celebrated Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka, who has triumphed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, the Royal Opera in London’s Covent Garden, the Teatro alla Scalain Milan and the Volksoper Wien.

Lucia di Lammermoor’s plot is loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott's historical novel The Bride of Lammermoor.  The fragile Lucia is caught in a feud between two noble Scottish families. Her dreams of happiness and love fall to pieces in the desperate race for power and fortune...  Lucia di Lammermoor is Gaetano Donizzeti’s most celebrated opera; the main reason for its popularity over nearly two ­centuries rests on one moment – the famous mad scene for the heroine ­Lucia.

The cast of Lucia di Lammermoor includes Marina Rebeka, Sonora Vaice, Olga Pudova (Lucia), Dmytro Popov, Murat Karahan, Andris Ludvigs (Edgardo di Ravenswood), Jānis Apeinis, Viktor Korotich (Enrico Ashton), Krišjānis Norvelis, Ilya Bannik (Raimondo), Viesturs Jansons, Raimonds Bramanis, Dainis Skutelis (Arturo), Kristīne Zadovska, Laura Grecka, Liene Lasmane-Vītola (Alisa), Raimonds Bramanis, Dainis Skutelis, Ansis Tālbergs (Normanno).

Further performances will take place on May 26, June 9 and 16, August 16.