Celebrating 25 years, Cape Town Opera graces Joburg Theatre with a special production of Lucia di Lammermoor, with just three performances from Thu, Jul 25 to Sun, Jul 28. Get your tickets here.

Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor is a timeless tale of love, betrayal, and madness as poignant today as it was at its 1835 premiere. Having garnered glowing reviews for performances at Artscape in Cape Town in June, the production – directed by industry legend and Cape Town Opera co-founder Angelo Gobbato – is poised to enchant seasoned opera lovers and newcomers alike at Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein. 

Expect soaring melodies from the famous Mad Scene and intricate ensemble numbers in this opera, filled with raw emotion and musical brilliance. Lucia di Lammermoor showcases Donizetti's genius and the enduring power of opera as an art form. At the heart of the production lies the tragic heroine, Lucia – a role coveted by sopranos for its vocal demands and emotional depth. 

The cast of Cape Town Opera's take on this iconic show includes Brittany Smith as Lucia. A Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winner for her portrayal of Maria in The Sound of Music, Smith's compelling stage presence and radiant voice bring Lucia to life in this production. Fellow Cape Town Opera tenor Lukhanyo Moyake and bass-baritone Conroy Scott also take to the stage, as Edgardo and Enrico respectively, while mezzo-soprano Julia Portela Piñón portrays Alisa and dramatic baritone Lonwabo Mose fulfils the role of Raimondo. Completing the stellar cast, baritone Van Wyk Venter is Normanno and guest tenor Sakhumzi Martins sings Arturo.

Joining these operatic talents, acclaimed performers from the Sempre Opera Chorus are directed by Paul Ferreira, while Daniel Keet conducts the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra for this extraordinary rendering of Lucia di Lammermoor. 

Straying somewhat from the typical Scottish Highlands setting, Michael Mitchell has placed the production into the present-day with a contemporary set and costume design. For Lucia's wedding dress, Mitchell looked to imaginative fashion house Alexander McQueen for inspiration. Striking video projections by Kirsti Cumming add intrigue to the staging, while Oliver Hauser's lighting design and Kirsten Isenberg's direction of movement contribute in turn to what promises to be an unusual and exquisitely beautiful opera experience. 

Catch one of only three performances of Lucia di Lammermoor at Joburg Theatre between Thu, Jul 25 – Sun, Jul 28. The two-act performance on Thu, Jul 25 at 19:00 is followed by two matinees on Sat, Jul 27 and Sun, Jul 28 at 14:00. Tickets range from R215 – R750, with group discounts available. Booking ahead is recommended; buy your tickets here. (Note: No under 16's.)