Synopsis

In a feud between the Scottish families of Ravenswood and Lammermoor, Enrico (Lord Henry Ashton of Lammermoor) has gained the upper hand over Edgardo (Edgar of Ravenswood), killing his kinsmen and taking over his estates. By the time of the opera’s action, however, Enrico’s fortunes have begun to wane. In political disfavor, he stakes all on uniting his family with that of Arturo (Lord Arthur Bucklaw), whom he means to force his sister, Lucia (Lucy Ashton), to marry.

ACT I. In a ruined park near Lammermoor Castle, Enrico’s retainers prepare to search for a mysterious trespasser. Normanno, captain of the guard, remains behind to greet Enrico, who decries the refusal of Lucia to marry Arturo. When the girl’s tutor, Raimondo, suggests that grief for her dead mother keeps her from thoughts of love, Normanno reveals that Lucia has been keeping trysts with a hunter who saved her from a raging bull. He suspects the stranger is Edgardo, hereditary enemy of Lammermoor. Enrico rages, and as retainers confirm Normanno’s suspicions, he swears vengeance.

At a fountain near her mother’s tomb, Lucia, fearful of her brother, awaits a rendezvous with Edgardo. She tells her confidante, Alisa, of a maiden’s ghost that has warned of a tragic end to her secret love. Though Alisa implores her to take care, Lucia cannot restrain her passion. Edgardo arrives to tell her he must go to France on a political mission but wishes to reconcile himself with Enrico so he and Lucia may marry. Lucia, knowing her brother will not relent, begs Edgardo to keep their love a secret. Though infuriated at his enemy’s implacability, he agrees. The lovers exchange rings and share a rapturous farewell.

ACT II. In an anteroom of his castle, Enrico plots with Normanno to force Lucia to marry Arturo. As the captain goes to greet the bridegroom, Lucia enters, distraught but defiant. Enrico shows her a forged letter, supposedly from Edgardo, proving him pledged to another. Crushed, she longs for death, but Enrico insists on her marrying at once to save the family fortunes. Raimondo urges the disconsolate Lucia to consent to the wedding, invoking the memory of her mother and asking her to respect the family’s desperate situation. When she yields, he says there are heavenly rewards for earthly sacrifices.

In the great hall, as guests hail the union of two important families, Arturo pledges to restore the Ashtons’ prestige. Enrico prepares him for his bride’s melancholy by pleading her grief over her mother’s death. No sooner has Lucia entered and been forced to sign the marriage contract than Edgardo bursts in. Returning earlier than expected, he has learned of the wedding and come to claim his bride. Bloodshed is averted only when Raimondo commands the rivals to put up their swords. Seeing Lucia’s signature on the contract, Edgardo tears his ring from her finger, curses her and storms from the hall. Lucia collapses.

ACT III. Edgardo sits at Wolf’s Crag Tower, deep in thought, as a storm rages. Enrico arrives to confront him, and their enmity flares. They agree to meet at dawn among the tombs of the Ravenswoods to fight a duel.

The continuing wedding festivities are halted when Raimondo enters to announce that Lucia, gone mad, has stabbed and killed Arturo in the bridal chamber upstairs. Disheveled, unaware of what she has done, she wanders in, recalling her meetings with Edgardo and imagining herself married to him. When the angry Enrico rushes in, he is silenced by the sight of her pitiful condition. Believing herself in heaven, Lucia falls dying.

Among the tombs of his ancestors, Edgardo laments Lucia’s supposed betrayal as he awaits his duel with Enrico. Guests leaving Lammermoor Castle tell Edgardo the dying Lucia has called his name. As he is about to rush to her side, Raimondo arrives to tell of her death, and her bier is carried by. Resolving to join Lucia in heaven, Edgardo stabs himself and dies.