SYNOPSIS

Act I Scene I

Setting: Lammermoor Castle Battlements and Garden in 13th century Scotland

The castle guard is searching for an intruder. Normanno, captain of the guard, informs Lord Enrico Ashton and the castle chaplain, Raimondo, that they have not located the trespasser. Enrico is worried. His family is in ruins and only his sister Lucia can save them by marrying Lord Arturo Blacklaw. But Lucia refuses to consent while she is still mourning her mother’s death. Normanno tells Enrico and Raimondo that Lucia has recently given her heart to another. Normanno suspects that Lucia’s lover is none other than Enrico’s mortal enemy, Edgardo of Ravenswood. Enrico blames Edgardo for his family’s demise, vows to protect his sister from shame, and promises to avenge the Ashtons.

Scene II

Setting: Cliffs outside Ravenswood Castle

Lucia and her nurse, Alisa, search for Edgardo to warn him of the castle guard. When she sees the fountain, Lucia is fearful. Near the fountain one night, she saw a ghost of a girl who was stabbed to death by her Ravenswood lover. Alisa thinks this is a bad omen and that Lucia should give up on Edgardo. But Lucia is resolved. Edgardo has given her comfort and love during her time of grief. Edgardo arrives and Alisa leaves to keep watch. Edgardo tells Lucia that he has to immediately sail for France. Before he leaves, he wants to make peace with Lucia’s brother Enrico and formally ask for her hand in marriage. Lucia asks him to keep their love a secret a while longer. It is difficult for Edgardo to let go of his anger. Enrico was responsible for Edgardo’s father death, and Edgardo has taken an oath to destroy the Ashton family. But when he first saw Lucia his anger was replaced with the love he developed for her. Lucia calms Edgardo, and the two vow before God that they will marry. They exchange tokens and promise to write.

PAUSE

Act II Scene I

Setting: Lord Enrico Ashton’s chambers, Lammermoor Castle

Enrico waits in his chambers for Lucia. Normanno tells Enrico he has been intercepting Edgardo’s letters to Lucia and spreading rumors that Edgardo has been entertaining a lady in France. Nomanno and Enrico hope that this news will influence Lucia to break off her relationship with Edgardo and accept the proposal from Lord Arturo Blackwell. Normanno hands Enrico a forged letter from Edgardo and leaves as Lucia enters. Enrico attempts to cheer Lucia up and get her excited about the wedding. Lucia is silent and remains loyal to Edgardo. Enraged Enrico shows Lucia the forged letter from Edgardo. Lucia reads it and is heartbroken. The fake letter, seemingly from Edgardo, tells Lucia that he is breaking their vows and forming a relationship with another. Lucia feels like death has come for her. Enrico continues to persuade Lucia to accept Arturo. Enrico reminds her that because of his political alliances he will be killed unless she marries Arturo. Raimondo enters and persuades Lucia to marry Arturo. He pleads with her to use reason and think of her dead parents and the safety of her brother. Lucia’s mind is open to this reasoning, but her heart is still Edgardo’s. She seems ready to go through with the wedding but seems to think this decision will lead to a life not worth living.

Scene II

Setting: A hall in Lammermoor Castle

Enrico comes down to greet Arturo and the wedding guests. He tells Arturo that Lucia will be down in a moment and that he should not be surprised if she is sad since she is still mourning her mother’s death. Arturo asks about Edgardo and his intentions toward Lucia, but Enrico brushes that comment aside just as Lucia enters the hall. Enrico is upset by Lucia’s morose attitude, but the marriage contracts are signed. Right after the contracts are signed, Edgardo arrives. Enrico and Edgardo throw out threats. Raimondo attempts to establish peace. Edgardo says he has come to pledge his faith to Lucia. Enrico and Raimondo tell him that it is too late and show Edgardo the contract. Edgardo turns on Lucia, curses her, and asks for his ring back. The guests and Enrico move to throw Edgardo out, Lucia is distraught and begs Edgardo to leave and save himself. Enrico and Normanno go out to chase him.

INTERMISSION

Act III Scene I

Setting: A hall in Lammermoor Castle

The wedding celebrations continue. Raimondo interrupts the party to announce that Lucia has gone mad and has killed her bridegroom Lord Arturo Blackwell in their wedding bed. Lucia comes down in a night gown covered in blood. She hallucinates Edgardo’s voice and thinks that they are about to get married. Enrico arrives again with Normanno and at first is angry but then finally recognizes that his sister is in a maddened state. Alisa and Raimondo are beckoned to remove Lucia from the party. Raimondo calls out Enrico and blames him for Lucia going mad.

Scene II

Setting: Ravenswood Graveyard

Edgardo waits for Enrico in the Ravenswood Graveyard so that they can duel to the death. His despair over loosing Lucia is too much. He does not want to live. Raimondo interrupts Edgardo’s rantings to tell him that Lucia is dying and calls for him. The bells toll and both know that it is too late. Edgardo stabs himself so that he can follow Lucia in death.