The Elixir of Love

Donizetti

World War II is at its height in this inventive new staging of Donizetti’s opera buffa, or romantic comedy, The Elixir of Love. Framed as a TV sitcom episode, this warm-hearted story of unrequited love unfolds with the arrival of a love potion salesman on a beautiful English country house estate staffed by Land Girls and locals.

The story

Adina, the lady of the manor, has long suppressed her feelings for Nemorino, who is working on the estate. She’s indifferent to his advances so he seeks the help of Dulcamara, a travelling salesman with a sharp suit and nice line in miracle cures. Nemorino discovers the power of playing it cool after drinking a love potion and becomes flavour of the month amongst the land girls and farmhands.

The score

This is one of the finest examples of all bel canto operas. Bel Canto is a style of opera where the primary focus of the music is on the beautiful vocal lines. ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ (‘I saw the tear’), sung by Nemorino in Act 2, is perhaps the most famous aria in all bel canto operas. This creates some truly moving moments to set alongside the warmth and humour of the production.