BY JAY NORDLINGER [NY Sun, 31 October 2005]

Elizabeth Futral, a soprano from New Orleans, is one of the best singing actresses we have. She has proved as much before New York audiences in recent seasons. Last fall, she was Strauss's Daphne, at City Opera. Earlier this month, she starred in Ricky Ian Gordon's "Orpheus and Euridice," a presentation of Great Performers at Lincoln Center. And on Thursday night, she was Lucia, at the Metropolitan Opera. The Met has again revived what may be the quintessential bel canto opera, Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor."