I posted the following on Reddit yesterday (24 April).
"A little while ago, I finished the 1939 version of Lucia Di Lamermoor. I had never heard this opera at all, so it was completely new to me, though I did know the last aria and.
youtube.com/watch?v=3RQDLmQ-X0…)
I used this libretto in English.
opera-arias.com/donizetti/luci…
Admittedly, I would have liked to have heard Baccaloni as Raimondo and de Muro Lomanto as Edgardo, but since Lucia is naturally so important, I'm glad I chose this version and not the one from 1929. Lina Pagliughi did an excellent job. Having heard the voice of Mercedes Capsir from Barbiere, I couldn't imagine her in this role. Her voice isn't powerful enough. Having said that, I liked Pagliughi's restrained approach. It was elegant, graceful, and emotional without being exagerated. I heard that some play Lucia as a means of showing off and/or in a very dramatic way. This was more subtle and somehow more captivating. I'm glad that I was told about the cuts, so I knew to expect them. It's a shame, as Giovanni Malipiero barely had a part as Edgardo, though he played it well. I also liked Muzio Giovagnoli as Arturo, so I must research both of these singers. Despite the dark plot, I was surprised to find that so much of the music was light. This makes three operas that I've seen by Donizetti and I've loved all of them. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be able to see any more, unless I sit through a modern performance."
Note: I might be willing to consider one by Teatro Nuovo, since from what I hear, they are reviving bel canto singing.
Here is the Reddit link for those who may be interested. As of this writing, there aren't any comments, so there isn't anyting to see beyond the above post right now.
reddit.com/r/opera/comments/1k…