OCU’s first mainstage opera, “Lucia di Lammermoor,” touches on war, women’s struggles, and loss.
Karen Miller, assistant director of opera and music theater, is directing the production.
Miller said she is sticking to the standard take on the story of “Lucia.”
Set in the Scottish Highlands, Donizetti’s bel canto opera is a portrait of a young woman caught between warring clans and forced into an unwanted marriage by her brother, leading to murder and madness.
“One of the challenges has been connecting the story to present day while presenting a story that is set in the 17th century,” Miller said.
Miller said she knew she wasn’t interested in telling the standard female victim story.
“‘Lucia’ has many universal themes that are very topical and relevant still today; the story shows men using their power to control women,” she said.
Miller said the cast spent a lot of time collaborating, specifically the two women, double cast, playing “Lucia.”
“Lucia’s vocalism is very difficult, and adding the specificity in acting to tell a specific rather than general story was very important to me,” Miller said.
Miller wanted to be able to communicate to the cast the world they were entering as a group within the production.
Miller said one of the hardest scenes for the cast to rehearse during the process was the “Mad Scene.”
“I wanted to portray a traumatic experience where Lucia is forced to protect both herself and her psyche in both delusions and moments of clarity to show how truly terrifying these moments were for her,” Miller said.
Simón Gómez, music theater/composition junior, is an ensemble member in “Lucia” and is also understudying one of the principle roles.
“Karen pays such close attention to detail and is incredible,” Gómez said.“The rehearsal process has been very efficient.”
Gómez said because the opera is in Italian, it’s important to make sure everyone is reacting correctly for the context to come through clearly to the audience.
“This is a great group and they have been truly wonderful to work with,” Miller said.
“Lucia di Lammermoor” will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 15-16 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 17 in Kirkpatrick Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in Edith Kinney gaylord Center or online.
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