CHI MI FRENA IN TAL MOMENTO (DONIZETTI: LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR)

Jean Renoir: Madame Bovary (FR 1934). Léon Dupuis (Daniel Lecourtois) and Emma Bovary (Valentine Tessier) at the opera: Photo: Gaumont / CNC.

"Chi mi frena in tal momento" is the great sextet in Gaetano Donizetti's opera Lucia di Lammermoor (1835), based on the novel by Walter Scott: Parte seconda (Il contratto nuziale). Atto primo, quadro secondo - Arturo attende trepidante la promessa sposa all'altare. Lucia viene, e la cerimonia nuziale è sconvolta dall'inattesa irruzione di Edgardo ("Chi mi frena in tal momento").
During the first half of the 20th century it became the symbol of opera and culture in popular cinema, also in cartoon parody.
- Georges Mendel: Film artistique chantant: Lucia di Lammermoor (FR 1908) - magnificent early sound film in widescreen - the grand sextet - Chanté par Enrico Caruso - Messieurs Journet, Scotti, Daddi - Mesdames Sembrich et Severina - avec accompagnement d'orchestre.
- Howard Hawks: Scarface (1932) - Scarface's murder anthem
- Jean Renoir: Madame Bovary (1934) - Madame Bovary's encounter with culture
- George Cukor: Little Women (1933) - Jo's cultural awakening
- Tex Avery: I Love to Singa (1936) - Owl Jolson is taught to sing opera
- Walt Disney: Willie the Operatic Whale (1946) - a signature tune at the Met
- Tex Avery: Little 'Tinker (1948) - proof of the singing skunk's refinement