Great Barrington, MA — BERKSHIRE OPERA FESTIVAL (BOF) announces its 2026 summer mainstage production, a new mounting of one of the most celebrated works in the operatic canon, Gaetano Donizetti’s LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR. Conducted and directed by BOF’s Co-founders Brian Garman and Jonathon Loy, three performances take place August 22-28 at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.
Conductor and Artistic Director Brian Garman says: “For our mainstage production this summer, BOF returns to the wonderful world of bel canto with what is certainly the jewel in the crown —Donizetti’s towering Lucia di Lammermoor. Full of suspense, pathos, and vocal acrobatics, it’s an opera that demands the very greatest singers, and that’s exactly what we have in store for you.”
Director Jonathon Loy adds: “I’m extremely excited to produce what I consider my favorite opera. Of the entire bel canto repertoire, Lucia has the most fleshed-out characters, and perfectly captures the romanticization of the Scottish culture with its brooding and gloomy atmosphere. This production will also explore the supernatural in depth.”
Set amid the foggy moors and ancient castles of Scotland, Donizetti’s masterpiece tells the tragic story of Lucia, whose forbidden love for her family’s sworn enemy drives her to the brink of madness. When her brother forces her into a loveless marriage, Lucia’s heart—and mind—shatter in one of opera’s most unforgettable scenes. Renowned for its breathtaking drama and virtuosic singing, Lucia di Lammermoor remains a timeless showcase of the full power and passion of the human voice.
In the lead role of Lucia is soprano Christine Lyons, winner of the 2025 Princess Grace Award, and described by Broadway World as “a true virtuosa, dazzling us with her mastery of all those Bel Canto coloratura fireworks.” She returns to the BOF stage after performing in the company’s 2025 gala and the role of Echo in the company’s 2017 production of Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. Opposite Lyons as Edgardo is Terrence Chin-Loy, whom Opera News described as having a “beautiful lyric tenor voice.” Chin-Loy has recently performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and Arizona Opera. In the role of Enrico is Dean Murphy, a leading singer at the Deutsche Oper Berlin whom Online Merker described as a “dazzling American baritone.” Raimondo is played by Stefan Egerstrom, a regular artist at Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera. And, in the role of Arturo is tenor Luke Norvell, recognized by Parterre Box for his “dramatic intensity and evenness of line.”
“Maestro Brian Garman wrung every last magnificent,
sensuous drop out of a superb orchestra from start to finish.”
“Electrifying is an apt word for the dynamic, intentional staging
from director and co-founder Jonathon Loy.”
— The Berkshire Eagle
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
berkshireoperafestival.org/
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano
Saturday, August 22, 1pm
(Free pre-performance talk with dramaturg Cori Ellison at 12pm)
Tuesday, August 25, 7:30pm
Friday, August 28, 7:30pm
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes including one intermission
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
CAST
Soprano CHRISTINE LYONS – Lucia
Tenor TERRENCE CHIN-LOY – Edgardo
Baritone DEAN MURPHY – Enrico
Bass STEFAN EGERSTROM – Raimondo
Tenor LUKE NORVELL – Arturo
Mezzo-soprano CHRISTINA GROHOWSKI as Alisa*
Tenor SCOTT RUBÉN LA MARCA as Normanno*
and featuring the
BERKSHIRE OPERA FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS
CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor BRIAN GARMAN
Stage Director JONATHON LOY
Scenic Designer CAMERON ANDERSON
Lighting Designer ALEX JAINCHILL
Hair and Make-up Designer BECKIE KRAVETZ
Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor LUCA ANTONUCCI
Principal Pianist and Coach CURTIS SERAFIN
Musical Preparation DAKOTA PEREZ*
Supertitles Author CORI ELLISON
Production Stage Manager CINDY KNIGHT
*member of the Resident Artist Program
ABOUT BERKSHIRE OPERA FESTIVAL
Founded in 2014 by Brian Garman and Jonathon Loy, Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) is an opera company dedicated to its mission to entertain and enrich the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds throughout the Berkshire region by providing accessible and affordable performances of a broad range of operas with the highest artistic standards. Now in its 11th season, BOF has appointed Natalie Johnsonius Neubert as its first President and CEO, and presents programming that includes musically and dramatically compelling operatic productions each summer, as well as recitals, educational community programs, and other related musical events throughout the year. This year, BOF is proud to launch its Resident Artist Program, expanding opportunities for emerging artists and deepening the company’s investment in the future of opera. Recent mainstage productions include Verdi’s La Traviata, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Puccini’s La Bohème, and Gounod’s Faust.
