Scotland, muse of Walter Scott and of some of the most exciting operas
11.06.2019
From atop the Walter Scott Monument, we can enjoy a spectacular view of Edinburgh. The city thus pays tribute to one of the most prolific British writers of the Romantic era. The unmistakable verdant landscapes , fairytale hills, and castles that characterize the Scottish countryside are woven into his novels with as much charisma as his characters.
In turn, the stories crafted by the author have inspired some of the most renowned operas throughout history. Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor is the prime example. Incidentally, Donizetti also adapted Kenilworth. to an opera called Il Castello di Kenilworth . Although there are other cases that we will also see below.
Lucia di Lammermoor amidst storms and ruined towers
The Italian composer brought to the stage a drama based on Scott's book , The Bride of Lammermoor . The thunderous storms over moors, where the wind blows violently, are a metaphor for the protagonist's state of mind. Lucia murders her husband on their wedding night. She does so in a fit of madness. She, in reality, loves Edgardo, who ends up stabbing himself when he realizes the girl is dead.
From Lammermoor to Lake Katrine
In this melodrama of misfortunes and calamities, we see figures atop craggy hills and ruined towers. They form the perfect backdrop for tormented souls, illustrating the pain felt by the young Lucia. She is not the only female protagonist in Walter Scott's works.
In the narrative poem The Lady of the Lake , however, it is unclear whether the woman is human. What seems evident is that she is enveloped in a great beauty that has also transcended the pages to take root on the operatic stage.
Rossini adapted this work in 1819, nine years after its publication. The Italian composer drew inspiration from the legend of Loch Katrine, which had inspired Scott to write this title. This freshwater lake is located in the heart of the Trossachs National Park . It was precisely in that year, 1819, that Scott ceased writing about Scotland with Ivanhoe , which also had several operatic versions, such as Otto Nicolai's Il Templario .
Next up is another woman, The Fair Maid of Perth. This novel, set during the Battle of North Inch, unfolds in one of the country's most charming cities. Other parts of Scotland also appear, which inspired Bizet himself to compose the music for this unique work.
Mendelssohn, a faithful reader of Scott
Scott's literature has not only served as inspiration for his stories on stage. It has also been a muse for important composers who, capturing its essence, created other captivating pieces.
In this group we have Mendelssohn, who traveled to Scotland to breathe in the landscapes Scott describes in his stories. The result? We can hear it in his Symphony No. 3 in A minor , in which the composer transports us to the mists and green landscapes of Scotland.
As we can see, Walter Scott and Scotland have been key to the success and charisma of some of the most popular operas in history.
