Forbidden love and tragedy tell the story of a young woman who fell in love with the wrong man and suffered greatly for it.
This dark tale will be brought to life by Pacific Opera Victoria, as audience members watch the love story unfold.
Lucia di Lammermoor is based on the novel The Bride of Lammermoor, written by Sir Walter Scott in 1819.
The story centres around a young woman, Lucia, who falls in love with a man her family does not approve of. Instead, she is forced to agree to marry another man, which drives her insane.
“Eventually she dies and then her true love comes back too late to save the day and winds up killing himself,” said Timothy Vernon, artistic director of Pacific Opera Victoria and conductor of Lucia di Lammermoor. “There's a Romeo and Juliet aspect to it for sure.”
Audience members can expect an exciting drama with a touching love story.
“Tragedies are always very satisfying, because they're all dead and we can get up and go home,” said Vernon. “It's the cathartic element of great drama that it takes you to the darker places while preserving your own safety.”
This particular performance features the talented singers, said Vernon.
“It takes master singers, people with great technique and a real technical capacity to bring this music to life.”
While the original opera is set in the 19th century, Pacific Opera Victoria's version is set in the early 20th century between the First and Second world wars.
The show runs about 2.5 hours with one intermission.
Lucia di Lammermoor opens on Feb. 12, with shows on Feb. 14, 18 and 20 at 8 p.m., with pre-performance lectures at 7 p.m. In addition, there is a matinee on Feb 22 at 2:30 p.m., with a pre-performance lecture at 1:30 p.m.
Performances will be at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.
Tickets range from $25 to $135 and are available from the Royal and McPherson Box Office at 250-386-6121, or online at www.rmts.bc.ca.
Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the door 60 minutes prior to each performance, subject to availability.
For more information, contact Pacific Opera Victoria at 250-385-0222, or go online to www.pov.bc.ca.