🎵Orlando Opera to perform Game of Thrones-inspired take on tragic romance classic

ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s an action-packed opera mixed with a well-known drama series on TV.

“Love, life, liberty, the house, the future of the family, it’s all on the line in every scene. On top of that, there’s some mental instability in the characters,” operatic tenor Ben Gulley said.

That’s the story behind Opera Orlando’s newest production, Lucia di Lammermoor. The tragic tale written by an Italian composer Salvadore Cammarano in 1835. But this Opera has a modern twist with elements inspired by the popular HBO series, “Game of Thrones.”

For example, Gulley plays Edgardo di Casa Greyjoy. (Sound familiar?)

“We’re not changing the story of the Opera, but just setting it in the context of Game of Thrones, so you might see some reference points if you’re a fan of the series, broad swords, we’re in the north with the Starke family, you’ll see some of the whites. It enhances some of the drama,” Opera Orlando and Grammy award-winning baritone Gabriel Preisser said.

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Along with the, out of this world, vocals. You’ll recognize some G.O.T. (”Game of Thrones”) inspired set pieces like the direwolf symbol representing House Stark and medieval costumes.

“Oh we are wearing all of the “Game of Thrones”-inspired regalia. lots of leather, lots of fur, lots of capes, lots of layers ... we’re giddy to wear it all, but we’re nice and hot. So we won’t just be bleeding for you all, we’ll be sweating too,” Gulley said.

And just like the show, there’s lots of action.

“The men get to really swordfight on stage and it’s pretty fun to watch them wielding around their swords. It’s a very athletic show,” Operatic Soprano Marnie Breckenridge said.

The opera centers around Lucia, played by Breckenridge, caught in a feud between families. Sound familiar?

“Lucia is maybe a Sansa-type character who is basically sold off to marry someone she doesn’t love and takes matters into her own hands and she’s strong and not afraid to wield a dagger,” Breckenridge said.

The performance is done entirely in Italian.

“When someone learns a role, especially if it’s not in native tongue there’s a process. Lucia is in Italian, so the first thing I do is translate the text, I want to know what I’m saying. Then I will take each note and figure out where every note is going... it’s a building blocks process where you know what you’re saying and what the music is and write in your own ornaments,” Breckenridge said.

The production includes live music by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and features dancers from the Orlando Ballet.

Don’t worry, if you don’t understand Italian there will be supertitles in English and Spanish during the show.

With all the action going on, it will be easy to follow the story even without translation.

There will be two shows for Lucia di Lammermoor at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: April 19 and April 21.

Click HERE for ticket information.