Sopranos Jessica Jones and Amanda Kingston share the title role in Donizetti’s tragedy Lucia de Lammermoor, being presented by Opera in the Heights. The two women, longtime friends, have shared roles before. “Our voices are very similar and different at the same time,” Jones tells us. “We’re each bringing something unique to the role.” Each woman has watched the other’s rehearsals, and the two have discussed their contrasting approaches to the role. “It’s nice to have someone that you trust and know to talk with about the role,” Kingston says.
The role is an exhausting one, requiring the singer to go from young, innocent woman in love to vengeful murderer about to lose her mind. Lucia is in love with Edgard (Anthony Webb and Wesley Morgan), but her brother Enrico (Octavio Moreno) is determined to marry her off to the wealthy but hideous Arturo (George Williams). Enrico tricks Lucia into marrying Arturo, but when she finds out she’s been deceived, she begins to lose her grip on reality.
“It’s a wonderful role,” Jones says. “Well, not wonderful in terms of what happens to her, but wonderful in the range she goes through. There’s lots to find in her.” Kingston agrees. “She’s an incredible, challenging character. It’s exciting to get to play her.”
7:30 p.m. March 28 and 29, April 3, 4 and 5, 2 p.m. March 30 and April 6. Lambert Hall, 1701 Heights. For information, call 7138615303 or visit operaintheheights.org. $10 to $55.
March 28-29, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.; April 3-5, 7:30 p.m. Starts: March 28. Continues through April 6, 2014
This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2014.