The tragic story of Lucia di Lammermoor is based on Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor and follows the secret love affair between Lucy Ashton (Lucia) and Edgar Ravenswood (Edgardo) – members of opposing Scottish houses. Henry Ashton (Enrico), Lucia’s brother, who detests the Ravenswoods, lies to his sister telling her that Edgardo has betrayed her and married someone else. He then forces her to marry another nobleman, Arturo. Lucia is devastated and so deep in her grief that she starts to lose her sanity. Edgardo bursts in on the wedding and curses Lucia for betraying him. After the wedding, Lucia goes mad and kills Arturo in their bed chamber. Edgardo knowing nothing of her madness, agrees to a duel with Enrico and vows to kill him. In the famous Mad Scene – a magnificent vehicle for the coloratura soprano – Lucia imagines she is together with Edgardo and about to be married, but sadly, she collapses and dies. Edgardo, distraught, learns of her death and kills himself.