Gaetano Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor - Il dolce suono (Joan Sutherland) (1959)

Lucia’s Mad Scene is one of opera’s most popular arias, and for a good reason: is there a more true depicition of human madness in music? Although some have come think that Lucia’s aria is only a showpiece for the soprano, it was only a view of the more verisimo-orientated opera world of that time. Many wonderful sopranos, especially Maria Callas, proved that, in the right hands, this scene can become a wonderful dramatic situation, which can break even the coldest heart. In 1959 Joan Sutherland sang the role of Lucia at Covent Garden... well, no need to say what a success it was. Though Joan Sutherland sang Lucia all her career and made several recordings of the opera, I think that her best version of Lucia’s Mad Scene was recorded on a small Verdi-Donizetti recital (Operatic arias) in 1959, right after the Covent Garden version. Presented here is the recitative from the aria (I am posting the recititave and the aria separetly). Hope you enjoy (comments are required :-) ).