The genius of Gaetano Donizetti as a writer of both tragic and comic operas is being illustrated by English National Opera in two productions overlapping at the London Coliseum. First up is a brilliantly sung revival of David Alden’s 2008 Lucia di Lammermoor, once again featuring the wonderful Anna Christy in the title role. From tomorrow audiences are being offered Jonathan Miller’s 1950s take on The Elixir of Love, which in the minds of many people has lately usurped Don Pasquale’s position as the composer’s comic masterpiece.

The action in Lucia is updated from the end of the 17th century to the middle of the 19th, which makes Edgardo’s departure to join the Stuart cause in France a little puzzling to those with concern for historical accuracy. The time shift, however, allows for a fabulous setting from designer Charles Edwards – principally a decayed country mansion – and superb costumes, even if these strongly suggest in their top hats and crinolines a Frithian high-society setting, rather than the rugged Scottish scenery of Walter Scott’s original story.

Edgardo, again superbly sung by tenor Barry Banks is already contracted in marriage to the waiflike Lucia by the time of his cross-Channel mission. This, though, is a secret from all and especially from Lucia’s brother Enrico (baritone Brian Mulligan), sworn enemy of her fiancé, whose birthright he has stolen. He is determined to force his sister into marriage with the exceptionally well-heeled Lord Arturo Bucklaw (Dwayne Jones, pictured) whose affluence is suggested in lavish costume and coiffeur reminiscent of those once sported by Liberace.

His plan succeeds after Lucia is convinced, on false evidence, of her lover’s faithlessness. But even as the marriage is celebrated, Edgardo arrives to find he has been thrown over. There follows the great sextet – beautifully managed here under conductor Antony Walker – which, rivals Lucia’s ‘mad scene’ as the opera’s best-known feature.

Christy offers a heartstopping account of the latter – delivered from within the proscenium arch of a theatre in the gloomy ballroom of Lammermoor Castle – her brilliant coloratura offset by the weird and haunting sound of the glass harmonica.

Until February 26. Box office: 0871 911 0200