Lucia with Dessay

Hi all, I have just read the review of the new recording of Lucia di Lammermoor with Natalie Dessay as Lucia. One or two things to mention, the most important being that the reviewer should really check his facts. Although Donizetti originally intended a Glass Harmonica for the Mad Scene, he crossed it out and substituted a flute. This is plainly visible in the autograph score which I studied when I worked at the British Library. Donizetti was a man of the theatre and obviously discovered that it was just not practicable to use the instrument, which is notorious for being out of tune!

Secondly, I really do take objection to how any comparisons with earlier versions are so short these days. I can remember how every recording that the great (not to say unique) Sutherland made was minutely compared to one by Callas and usually found wanting. This review of Lucia with Dessay hardly made any comparisons at all. For instance, does Dessay sing the second act duet with Enrico in the original key as Sutherland and Milnes do on her second recording?

As for the review of the Sydney Lucia with Sutherland from 1986, I fail to hear any beat on sustained notes at all. The final high E flat of the mad scene is truly astonishing for a woman of 60. Most sopranos half her age would kill for such an astounding upper register.

I think the reviewers need to be more fair when they review and make comparisons.

Great magazine though, which I have followed for more years than I care to remember!