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37-921: Originally holding 4,500 people, the venue now has a capacity of 3,034. The Keller Auditorium is the home of many performances of the Portland Opera and the Oregon Ballet Theatre . It was the longtime home of the Portland Symphony Orchestra (now the Oregon Symphony), from 1917 to 1984. It also housed the Oregon Historical Society and its museum from 1917 to 1965. The auditorium building occupies an entire city block in downtown Portland , bounded by Third and Second Avenues and Clay and Market Streets. The site had previously been occupied by

74-410: A fight, and he shows Edgardo Lucia's signature on the marriage contract. Edgardo curses her, demanding that they return their rings to each other. He tramples his ring on the ground, before being forced out of the castle. Scene 1: Wolfcrag Enrico visits Edgardo to challenge him to a duel. He tells him that Lucia is already enjoying her bridal bed. Edgardo agrees to fight him. They will meet later by

111-627: A me ricovero" 37. "Oh meschina!" 38. "Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali" (Edgardo) After Lucia di Lammermoor was produced in Paris, a French version in four acts was commissioned for the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris. Donizetti was living there at the time, preparing the revision of Poliuto into its French version (which became Les Martyrs ). Lucie opened on 6 August 1839 and this version toured extensively throughout France. The libretto, written by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz ,

148-526: A new character, Gilbert, who is loosely based on the huntsman in the Italian version. However, Gilbert is a more developed figure who serves both Edgardo and Enrico, divulging their secrets to the other for money. The French version is performed far less frequently than the Italian, but it was revived to great acclaim by Natalie Dessay and Roberto Alagna at the Opéra National de Lyon in 2002. It

185-471: A stage director, and National Public Radio 's first Director of Culture Programming, who served until 2003. Stage Director Christopher Mattaliano succeeded Robert Bailey as General Director in 2003 and served through 2019. The current General Director is Susan (Sue) Dixon, who was appointed in October 2019, and is the first female general director in the opera's 56 year history. The most recent Music Director

222-879: A te sull'aure" (Edgardo, Lucia) Act 2 12. "Lucia, fra poco a te verrà" 13. "Appressati, Lucia" 14. "Il pallor funesto, orrendo" 15. "Soffriva nel pianto" 16. "Che fia" 17. "Se tradirmi tu potrai" 18. "Ebben? – Di tua speranza" 19. "Ah! cedi, cedi" (Raimondo) 20. "Al ben de' tuoi qual vittima" (Raimondo) 21. "Per te d'immenso giubilo" 22. "Dov'è Lucia?" 23. "Chi mi frena in tal momento" (sextet) 24. "T'allontana sciagurato" Act 3 25. "Orrida è questa notte" 26. "Qui del padre ancor respira" 27. "D'immenso giubilo" 28. "Ah! cessate quel contento" 29. "Oh! qual funesto avvenimento!" 30. "Oh, giusto cielo!... Il dolce suono" (Lucia, "Mad Scene") 31. "Ohimè! sorge il tremendo fantasma" 32. "S'avanza Enrico" 33. "Spargi d'amaro pianto" 34. "Si tragga altrove" 35. "Tombe degli avi miei" (Edgardo) 36. "Fra poco

259-522: Is a dramma tragico (tragic opera ) in three acts by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti . Salvadore Cammarano wrote the Italian-language libretto loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott 's 1819 historical novel The Bride of Lammermoor . Donizetti wrote Lucia di Lammermoor in 1835, when he was reaching the peak of his reputation as an opera composer. Gioachino Rossini had recently retired and Vincenzo Bellini had died shortly before

296-530: Is impossible, and instead they take a sworn vow of marriage and exchange rings. Edgardo leaves. Scene 1: Lord Ashton's apartments Preparations have been made for the imminent wedding of Lucia to Arturo. Enrico worries about whether Lucia will really submit to the wedding. He shows his sister a forged letter seemingly proving that Edgardo has forgotten her and taken a new lover. Enrico leaves Lucia to further persuasion, this time by Raimondo, Lucia's chaplain and tutor, that she should renounce her vow to Edgardo, for

333-467: Is not simply a translation, as Donizetti altered some of the scenes and characters. One of the more notable changes is the disappearance of Alisa, Lucia's handmaid and confidante. This allows the French version to isolate Lucia, thus increasing the story's emotional impact. Furthermore, Lucia loses most of Raimondo's support; his role is dramatically diminished while Arturo's is increased. Donizetti also added

370-496: Is substituted for solo flute in Lucia's mad scene, per Donizetti's original score. Scene 1: The gardens of Lammermoor Castle Normanno, captain of the castle guard, and other retainers are searching for an intruder. He tells Enrico that he believes that the man is Edgardo of Ravenswood, and that he comes to the castle to meet Enrico's sister, Lucia. It is confirmed that Edgardo is indeed the intruder. Enrico reaffirms his hatred for

407-743: The Keller Auditorium and Newmark Theatre, both part of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts . Portland Opera also produces a separate subscription series of touring Broadway musicals, which also take place at the Keller Auditorium. Portland Opera was founded as the Portland Opera Association in 1964 by the conductor Henry Holt. Its first performance was Strauss ' Die Fledermaus ,

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444-891: The Metropolitan Opera , Santa Fe Opera , and Opera Philadelphia . The popular soprano and flute duet cadenza was composed in 1888 by Mathilde Marchesi for her student Nellie Melba 's performance of the role, requiring ten weeks of rehearsal for the new addition and causing a critical reevaluation and surge of new interest in the opera. The index of Bonynge's edition lists the following numbers. 1. "Preludio" Act 1 2. "Percorrete le spiaggie vicine" 3. "Tu sei turbato!" 4. "Cruda, funesta smania" (Enrico) 5. "La pietade in suo favore" (Enrico) 6. "Ancor non giunse!" (Lucia) 7. "Regnava nel silenzio" (Lucia) 8. "Quando rapito in estasi" (Lucia) 9. "Egli s'avanza" (Alisa, Edgardo, Lucia) 10. "Sulla tomba che rinserra" (Edgardo, Lucia) 11. "Qui di sposa eterna... Ah! Verranno

481-494: The Royal Opera House Covent Garden). It has remained a staple of the operatic repertoire. An aria from the opera, "Il dolce suono", is featured in the film The Fifth Element and is mentioned in E.M. Forster's Where Angels Fear to Tread . The instrumentation is: Additionally an off-stage wind band is used; Donizetti did not provide instrumentation. Also, occasionally the glass harmonica

518-571: The " mad scene " (Act 3, Scene 2), has historically been a vehicle for several coloratura sopranos (providing a breakthrough for Dame Joan Sutherland ) and is a technically and expressively demanding piece. Donizetti wrote it in F major , but it is often transposed down a tone (two half-steps ) into E-flat. Some sopranos, including Maria Callas , have performed the scene in a come scritto ("as written") fashion, adding minimal ornamentation to their interpretations. Most sopranos, however, add ornamentation to demonstrate their technical ability, as

555-477: The "mad scene" in Donizetti's original F major key, although E-flat is more commonly heard. The original scoring of this scene was for glass harmonica and soprano. However, an adaptation for flute and the soprano soloist has been more commonly performed since, mostly for practical reasons. Glass harmonica players Sascha Reckert and Philipp Alexander Marguerre resuscitated Gaetano Donizetti 's vision in 2006 at

592-774: The Keller Auditorium and others as a part of a summer festival format, with three operas produced in the Newmark Theatre. As part of the COVID-19 pandemic , the Portland Opera Association received $ 1 million in federally backed small business loan from First Republic Bank as part of the Paycheck Protection Program . The opera stated it would allow them to retain 73 jobs. Portland Opera's premiere performances include: Notes Sources Lucia di Lammermoor Lucia di Lammermoor ( Italian pronunciation: [luˈtʃiːa di ˈlammermur] )

629-470: The Neapolitan repertoire", noting that while there were 18 performances in the rest of 1835, there were only four in 1836, 16 in 1837, two in 1838, and continuing in this manner with only two in each of 1847 and 1848. London saw the opera on 5 April 1838 and, for Paris, Donizetti revised the score for a French version which debuted on 6 August 1839 at the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris. It reached

666-680: The Opera La Scala in Milan, accompanying Mariella Devia , and have since brought Donizetti's original score back to all major opera houses, including the venue of its premiere, Teatro di San Carlo . Friedrich Heinrich Kern , who has been collaborating with Reckert and Marguerre as Ensemble Sinfonia di Vetro, started to revive the original performance practice in the United States, recently featured in Lucia di Lammermoor productions at

703-561: The Portland Mechanics' Pavilion, built in 1879. The new hall was constructed in 1916–17 from designs by New York architects Joseph H. Freelander and A.D. Seymour, with local associate architects Whitehouse & Fouilhoux . Originally known as the Public Auditorium , or alternatively Municipal Auditorium, the facility's formal opening and dedication took place on July 4, 1917, and the first full concert took place

740-657: The Ravenswood family and his determination to end the relationship. Scene 2: By a fountain at the entrance to the park, beside the castle Lucia waits for Edgardo. In her famous aria " Regnava nel silenzio ", Lucia tells her maid Alisa that she has seen the ghost of a girl killed on the very same spot by a jealous Ravenswood ancestor. Alisa tells Lucia that the apparition is a warning and that she must give up her love for Edgardo. Edgardo enters; for political reasons, he must leave immediately for France. He hopes to make his peace with Enrico and marry Lucia. Lucia tells him this

777-531: The United States with a production in New Orleans on 28 May 1841. The opera was never absent from the repertory of the Metropolitan Opera for more than one season at a time from 1903 until 1972. After World War II, a number of sopranos were instrumental in giving new life to the opera, including Maria Callas (with performances from 1954 at La Scala and Berlin in 1955 under Herbert von Karajan ) and Dame Joan Sutherland (with 1959 and 1960 performances at

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814-646: The emotionally fragile Lucy Ashton (Lucia) who is caught in a feud between her own family and that of the Ravenswoods. The setting is the Lammermuir Hills of Scotland (Lammermoor) in the 17th century. The opera premiered on 26 September 1835 at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples. However, John Black notes that "the surprising feature of its subsequent performance history is that it established so slowly in

851-400: The exhibits thereafter being moved to temporary storage until completion of the new museum, which opened in fall 1966. In 1967–68 the building underwent an extensive remodeling, which included complete refacing with a new modern-style exterior, at a cost of $ 4 million. Architect for the renovation was Keith Maguire of Portland architectural firm Stanton, Boles, Maguire & Church . It

888-524: The facility. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a campaign speech on October 18, 1956 at the auditorium . Then-Senator John F. Kennedy spoke at the auditorium on September 7, 1960. Led Zeppelin performed as an opening act on December 29, 1968 during their first North American concert tour. Portland Opera Portland Opera is an American opera company based at The Hampton Opera Center in Portland, Oregon . Its performances take place in

925-468: The following day, with what was dubbed the first annual Portland "Music Festival", featuring the Portland Symphony Orchestra (now the Oregon Symphony). Another longtime tenant of the auditorium building was the Oregon Historical Society , whose headquarters and museum were located in the building for almost five decades. The society moved from the Tourny Building in 1917, occupying space on

962-405: The good of the family, and marry Arturo. Scene 2: A hall in the castle Arturo arrives for the marriage. Lucia seems distressed, but Enrico explains that this is due to the death of her mother. Arturo signs the marriage contract, followed reluctantly by Lucia. At that point Edgardo suddenly appears in the hall, which leads to the celebrated sextet Chi mi frena in tal momento . Raimondo prevents

999-512: The graveyard of the Ravenswoods, near the Wolf's Crag. Scene 2: A Hall Raimondo interrupts the marriage celebrations to tell the guests that Lucia has gone mad and killed her bridegroom Arturo. Lucia enters. In the aria " Il dolce suono " she imagines being with Edgardo, soon to be happily married. Enrico enters and at first threatens Lucia but later softens when he realizes her condition. Lucia collapses. Raimondo blames Enrico for precipitating

1036-520: The only opera presented that season. Holt served as the company's General Director for the first two years of existence. The next General Director post was the Austrian conductor Herbert Weiskopf, who died of a heart attack in March 1970 after conducting a performance of Lucia di Lammermoor . The conductor Stefan Minde then took over as General Director and served until 1984, followed by Robert Bailey,

1073-517: The original Italian edition are translated into English. The earliest complete recording was made in 1929 with Lorenzo Molajoli conducting the La Scala Orchestra and Chorus and Mercedes Capsir in the title role. There are several recordings with Maria Callas in the title role, including two studio versions conducted by Tullio Serafin (1953 and 1959) and two live versions by Herbert von Karajan (1954 and 1955). Joan Sutherland , who

1110-538: The premiere of Lucia leaving Donizetti as "the sole reigning genius of Italian opera". Not only were conditions ripe for Donizetti's success as a composer, but there was also a widespread interest in the history and culture of Scotland. The perceived romance of its violent wars and feuds, as well as its folklore and mythology, intrigued 19th century readers and audiences. Walter Scott dramatized these elements in his novel The Bride of Lammermoor , which inspired several musical works including Lucia . The story concerns

1147-495: The second and third floors. In the early 1960s, the historical society approved plans to build a new facility for its exhibits, archives, research facilities and offices. In November 1964, the city's voters approved a ballot measure that sought funding for a $ 3.9 million rebuilding of the auditorium. The building had been renamed Civic Auditorium by this time. The museum in the auditorium closed permanently in June 1965, with

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1184-405: The whole tragedy. Scene 3: The graveyard of the Ravenswood family Edgardo is resolved to kill himself on Enrico's sword. He learns that Lucia is dying and then Raimondo comes to tell him that she has already died. Edgardo stabs himself with a dagger, hoping to be reunited with Lucia in heaven. The cabaletta " Spargi d'amaro pianto " following the more lyrical " Il dolce suono " from

1221-452: Was George Manahan, who held the post from 2012 to 2021. In September 2021, the company announced the appointment of Damien Geter as its interim music director, with immediate effect. Portland Opera was one of the first opera companies to introduce surtitles in its productions, and has presented several world and US premieres. In October 2014, the company announced changes in the format of its productions, by presenting some productions in

1258-477: Was ceremonially reopened on May 3, 1968. Only 17 percent of the original structure was salvaged as part of the remodeling, comprising mainly the north and south walls. In June 1970, Ada Louise Huxtable called the redesigned auditorium "a building of unrelieved blandness". A 2020 seismic study has indicated that the facility is not built to withstand a major earthquake; in 2022 the city of Portland dedicated $ 200,000 to study options for upgrading or replacing

1295-610: Was co-produced by the Boston Lyric Opera and the Glimmerglass Opera . Sarah Coburn sang the title role as her first "Lucia" in this French version in 2005. In 2008 Lucie was produced by the Cincinnati Opera with Coburn again in the title role. Lucia has received over twenty commercial studio recordings, and dozens more of live performances. Among these, two of the French versions and one of

1332-532: Was particularly noted for performances as Lucia, has also been recorded in the role several times including a 1971 Decca Records recording conducted by Richard Bonynge with Luciano Pavarotti as Edgardo. In 2002, Chandos Records released the English version with David Parry conducting and Elizabeth Futral as Lucia. Several video recordings have also been released, including one in French. Charles Mackerras returned to Donizetti's autograph score and prepared

1369-466: Was the tradition in the bel canto period. This involves the addition and interpolation of trills , mordents , turns, runs and cadenzas . Almost all sopranos append cadenzas to the end of the "mad scene", sometimes ending them on a high keynote (E-flat or F, depending on the key in which they are singing, though Mado Robin takes an even higher B-flat ). Some sopranos, including Ruth Welting , Mariella Devia , Mady Mesplé , and Lily Pons have sung

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