"Director Malfitano keeps the tale of illicit lovers moving swiftly, within uncluttered set designs by Wilson Chin that combines postmodern abstraction and period realism. The minimalist decor, set on a mirrored floor with plenty of open space, evokes something of the brooding melancholy of the Sir Walter Scott novel on which the libretto is based. The most useful design element is the large Wolf's Crag tower. For the famous Mad Scene, the tower revolves to reveal a steep spiral staircase, at the top of which Lucia stands revealed in a blood-stained bridal gown. Phillips is required to sing this coloratura marathon while slowly making her way down those precarious-looking steps." – John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune

"Lucia di Lammermoor reentered the repertory of Lyric Opera of Chicago in a starkly attractive new production directed by Catherine Malfitano. A darkly silhouetted tree dominated a genuinely creepy fountain scene, the fountain itself suggested by the interplay of Schuler's moody lighting with the mirrored flooring." – Mark Thomas Ketterson, Opera News

"Susanna Phillips delivered a creditable Mad Scene on Wilson Chin's high, narrow, curving tower staircase. Chin has some nice stage pictures, especially with a moonscape inspired by German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich." – Andrew Patner, Chicago Sun-Times

"For Lucia di Lammermoor, director Catherine Malfitano and designer Wilson Chin offered consistantly striking images. Chin's solution for the Wolf's Crag scene, a rounded tower with slit windows, proved unusually effective and revolved neatly to provide a splendid, light-focusing 'scary staircase' playing area for the mad scene." – David Shengold, Opera News (2009)