Los Angeles Opera’s ‘Lucia de Lammermoor’

Saimir Pirgu is Edgardo and Albina Shagimuratova is Lucia in L.A. Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

March 14, 2014 2:54 PM PT

The Los Angeles Opera production of the Italian work “Lucia de Lammermoor” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion centers on the fragile Lucia, who goes mad after being forced by her family to break ties with her lover and marry another man. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

“Lucia is the most difficult, the most demanding, but also the most beautiful role in the bel canto repertoire,” says Albina Shagimuratova, who is performing in the title role of L.A. Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Russian coloratura soprano Albina Shagimuratova portrays the title character in Los Angeles Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The Italian opera “Lucia de Lammermoor” is an L.A. Opera production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Albina Shagimuratova calls Lucia the most demanding and most beautiful of roles. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Saimir Pirgu as Edgardo with the cast in LA Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor,” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles on Mar. 12, 2014. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Saimir Pirgu portrays Edgardo and Albina Shagimuratova is Lucia in the Los Angeles Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The rarely played glass harmonica makes an appearance in the Los Angeles Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor,” starring Albina Shagimuratova. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

James Creswell(2nd from left) as Raimondo and Stephen Powell(right) as Enrico in LA Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor,” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles on Mar. 12, 2014. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Albina Shagimuratova plays Lucia in the L.A. Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

James Creswell, left, portrays Raimondo and Saimir Pirgu is Edgardo in the L.A. Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Albina Shagimuratova portrays the lovelorn Lucia and Saimir Pirgu is Edgardo in the L.A. Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Russian coloratura soprano Albina Shagimuratova portrays the title character in an updated version of the Italian work “Lucia de Lammermoor” at the Los Angeles Opera. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Saimir Pirgu plays Edgardo in L.A. Opera’s “Lucia de Lammermoor.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Updates to “Lucia de Lammermoor” include the time period being moved to 1885 rather than 1669, simpler and streamlined costumes, as well as light projections that appear on the back wall of the stage, hinting at changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)