Synopsis

On the grounds of Scotland’s Lammermoor Castle, Enrico tells Normanno that his position as Lord Keeper of Lammermoor is tenuous, and the ousting of its previous owners has made a bitter enemy out of Edgardo, the last surviving heir. To improve his status, Enrico has arranged a marriage between his sister, Lucia, and Arturo. Raimondo cautions that she is not ready to love, but Normanno insists that she is in love with an unknown man, whom she sees every day at dawn. Normanno suspects it is Edgardo, infuriating Enrico, who vows Edgardo will pay for this insult with his blood.

At a nearby fountain, Lucia waits with Alisa for Edgardo’s arrival. Alisa encourages Lucia to forget Edgardo, but Lucia insists he is her only happiness. As Alisa withdraws, Edgardo appears. Amid Scotland's political turmoil, he has been called to France. He plans to offer peace to Enrico and ask for Lucia’s hand in return, but she fears her brother's wrath. They exchange rings as a token of their secret bond.

Several months have passed with no word from Edgardo. Lucia reluctantly has agreed to marry Arturo, and preparations are underway. Normanno tells Enrico he has diverted Edgardo's letters, and in their place, a forgery has been produced. When Lucia is presented with the fake letter, she faints upon reading it—Edgardo, having found another, no longer loves her. Enrico berates his sister for betraying their family's honor.

As wedding guests gather, Enrico assures Arturo of Lucia's willingness to marry despite her apparent sadness. Lucia is presented to her bridegroom and begrudgingly signs the wedding contract. Moments later, Edgardo bursts into the room, and Lucia swoons. Believing that Lucia still loves him, Edgardo is stunned when he sees the marriage contract bearing her signature. In despair, he offers his own life, but Enrico orders him out.

Alone, Edgardo rues his dismal fate. Enrico arrives, taunting him that Arturo and Lucia are consummating their wedding vows. He challenges Edgardo to a duel, and he readily accepts.

The wedding festivities are interrupted by a badly shaken Raimondo. He heard screams from the bridal chamber and found Arturo there in a pool of blood with a wide-eyed Lucia clutching the knife that killed him. Lucia deliriously stumbles before the guests looking for Edgardo, horrifying all in attendance.

Edgardo awaits the duel, intending to surrender himself to Enrico. He soon learns of the prior evening’s calamity and is told that Lucia has gone insane. Broken by the news, Edgardo takes his own life.

Adapted from Minnesota Opera