(SPRINGFIELD, NJ) -- Brigadoon meets Macbeth in New Jersey Festival Orchestra's February 17th production of Lucia di Lammermoor, Donizetti's spellbinding tale of marriage, madness and murder. A cast of internationally acclaimed guest vocalists and renowned Lincoln Center stage director Beth Greenberg join Maestro Wroe and NJFO to present this haunting tragedy of rival families, thwarted love, unhealthy obsessions and the manipulation of an innocent woman.

Based on Scottish novelist Walter Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor, Donizetti’s opera traces the struggles of a young woman from an impoverished family who is forced by her brother to marry for money.

The haunting and brooding music masterfully conveys the woman's isolation and instability as she falls into insanity.  Indeed, Lucia di Lammermoor features one of the most famous moments in all of opera—the iconic “ mad scene,” a musical portrayal of the heroine’s downward spiral and emotional roller coaster, captured in stunning soprano virtuosity.

Acclaimed Mexican soprano Alejandra Sandoval sings the title role, Lucia di Lammermoor

The extraordinary Mexican soprano Alejandra Sandoval, who has taken leading roles of the Classical repertoire in venues from Guanajuato to Beijing, will take on the iconic title role.

"We are thrilled and honored to be joined by Alejandra Sandoval,” said NJFO Music Director David Wroe.  “She is a superstar who has already graced the stages of some of the most magnificent concert halls and opera houses across the world. With her artistic interpretation and extraordinary coloratura I predict that there will not be dry eye in the house!”

Sung in Italian with English supertitles, Lucia di Lammermoor, has been made possible through the generous support from the NJ State Council on the Arts and The Joseph T. DeAlessandro Memorial Foundation.

The performance takes place Saturday, February 17th at Renaissance Church (639 Mountain Ave) in Springfield, New Jersey.  Showtime is at 7:00pm. For tickets and more information, click here or call 908-232-9400.

The New Jersey Festival Orchestra is a premier, fully professional, symphony orchestra. Founded in Westfield in 1983, NJ Festival Orchestra has grown to become one of New Jersey’s largest professional orchestras, having a presence throughout many cultural communities of New Jersey, and appearing as far afield as Carnegie Hall on a regular basis.

The name New Jersey Festival Orchestra reflects an ongoing celebration of the diversity of music and the creation of experiences that stretch the boundaries of traditional classical performances.

NJFO programs include classics from the orchestral repertory as well as offerings that showcase the fusion of fine arts and popular culture. This unique and dynamic approach to programming further brings classical music to life and creates an ongoing 'festival' of compelling presentations worthy of their name.

Conductor David Wroe