Opera Theater of Connecticut performs "Lucia di Lammermoor"

One of the fleeting pleasures of summer is the annual Opera Theater of Connecticut production in the cozy confines of Andrews Memorial Theater in Clinton. Artistic Director Alan Mann uses the intimate eye-contact-with-the-performers setting to set the drama in high relief, and the small space allows the singers to focus on beauty, not volume.

This season's production, running four nights starting Tuesday, will be Donizetti's masterpiece "Lucia di Lammermoor," well known for its great sextet and above all, for the mad scene, the long soprano showpiece when Lucia loses her future, her new husband and her marbles with one stroke of the dagger.

The cast features Amanda Hall making her debut in the title role; David Pershall, last season's acclaimed Figaro, as Enrico; and Luigi Boccia making his Connecticut debut as the ill-fated lover, Edgardo.

Whether you're mad about opera, or among the curious, OTC can't be beat.

- MILTON MOORE

"Lucia di Lammermoor," Andrews Memorial Theater in Clinton Town Hall, Main Street, Clinton; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Aug. 9 and 11, and at 6 p.m. Aug. 12; $40, $38 for 65 and over, $34 for under 18; (860) 669-8999, operatheater-ct.org.