THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
Music by Gaetano Donizetti, Libretto by Felice Romani after Scribe’s libretto for Auber’s Le Philtre
A magic love potion and the destiny of a love triangle.
The Elixir of Love tells the story of a lovable bumpkin, a dashing sergeant and the bewitching town flirt. Filled with light-hearted charm and bursting with feel-good laughs, The Elixir of Love features effervescent Italian melodies and plenty of bel canto vocal fireworks.
Sponsored by:
Una Furtiva Lagrima
ENRICHMENT
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE excerpt from the Brown-Forman 2010 Fall Season Preview CD. Highlights of key dramatic and musical themes.
Lunch & Listen | Wednesday, October 6 | 12 noon
A collaboration with WUOL Louisville Public Media, produced in front of a live audience, featuring musical excerpts from The Elixir of Love and interviews and commentaries by David Roth.
Louisville Public Media | 619 South Fourth Street
RSVP: Kate Kleinert at 502.587.8681
Sights & Sounds | Sunday, October 10 | 1:30pm
A partnership with The Speed Art Museum, Kentucky Opera staff and guest speakers that explores an aspect from each opera as it relates to a similar theme in visual arts at that time.
The Speed Art Museum Auditorium | 2035 South Third Street
ARTISTIC TEAM
Director: Dorothy Danner
Conductor: Joseph Mechavich
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Adina Emily Albrink |
Belcore Chad Sloan |
Nemorino Victor Ryan Robertson |
Dulcamara Peter Strummer |
Place: A small Italian village
Time: 19th century
Act I Scene 1 – The entrance to Adina’s farm
Nemorino is watching the beautiful Adina reading a book (Quanto e bella!). She laughs at the story that turns out to be the story of Tristan and Isolde. The rest of the peasants gather around her and she declares that she wishes she had a magic potion (Della crudele Isotta). Sergeant Belcore and his platoon arrive. He presents flowers to Adina. He compares himself to the character of Paris who awards the golden apple to Aphrodite. He is hoping for a response from Adina (Come Paride vezzoso). Nemorino is upset with the Sergeant’s attentions to Adina. Adina says that she’s in no hurry to make up her mind. Belcore tells her that time flies and Adina states that some soldiers claim victory before the battle has even started.
Nemorino wants to tell Adina about his feelings for her. When they are finally alone, Nemorino tries but Adina gets tired of hearing him sigh. She tells him to go take care of his sick uncle. Nemorino tells her that his love has made him not care about his uncle dying and perhaps leaving his money to another heir. Adina tells Nemorino that while he is nice, she feels nothing for him (Chiedi all’aura lusinghiera). He says he cannot leave her. She laughs at him.
Scene 2 – The village square
The villagers gather to greet Dr. Dulcamara as he arrives in his outrageous carriage. Dulcamara is the traveling medicine man/fraud who promises that he can cure anything (Udite, udite, o rustici). Nemorino asks Dulcamara if he sells a love elixir. Dulcamara has what Nemorino wants and while Nemorino thanks him, Dulcamara comments that this is the biggest blockhead he’s ever met (Obbligato, ah si! obbligato!). Dulcamara tells him that he must wait until the next day for the results and enters the inn. Nemorino samples his potion. He is starting to feel the effects when Adina enters and wonders why he’s so happy. He tells Adina that tomorrow his heart will be cured.
Sergeant Belcore arrives and Adina tells him that she’s considered his offer of marriage and agrees to marry him in 6 days time. Another soldier arrives and tells Belcore that they have new orders and they must leave by the next morning. Adina agrees to marry him that night. Nemorino is upset (Adina, credimi), and begs Adina to wait one more day. Adina offers to get the notary and Nemorino begs for Dulcamara’s help. Everyone, except Nemorino, is excited about the impending wedding.
Act II Scene 1 – The inside of Adina’s farmhouse
Everyone is celebrating the upcoming wedding. Dulcamara and Adina sing a duet (Io son ricco e tu sei bella). The notary arrives, but Adina wants to wait for Nemorino. Nemorino appears and tells Dulcamara that he needs more elixir in a hurry. Dulcamara agrees to wait for one hour in the inn, as Nemorino has no money to pay for more elixir. Belcore is getting irritated with Adina’s delaying and Nemorino tells Belcore that he needs money. Belcore tells him that there is a signing bonus if he joins the army. Desperate, Nemorino joins the army.
Scene 2 – A rustic courtyard
All the village girls are all talking about Nemorino’s wealthy uncle who as died and left him as the only heir. Nemorino enters, slightly drunk on the elixir he bought with his enlistment money. Nemorino is surrounded by girls and Dulcamara declares it is due to his elixir. Adina approaches Nemorino, but her jealousy flares as she sees all the girls around Nemorino. Nemorino leaves, followed by the girls. Dulcamara brags to Adina about his love potion and Adina asks if he sold some to Nemorino. Dulcamara tells Adina that Nemorino was so overwhelmed with his love for Adina that he enlisted to get more money for more elixir. Adina now realizes the depths of Nemorino’s feeling for her and Nemorino realizes that Adina loves him (Una furtiva lagrima). Adina enters and tells Nemorino that she has bought back his enlistment papers (Prendi, per me sei libero) and hands them to him. As she turns to leave, Nemorino asks her if there was anything else she’d like to say but she says no. He gives her back the papers stating that if he’s been tricked by the doctor, he’d rather die as a soldier. Adina tells Nemorino that she does love him and Nemorino believes that Dulcamara has sold him a true elixir. Belcore is rather surprised at this turn of events, but is good hearted about this new development. Dulcamara reappears and tells everyone of Nemorino’s good fortune from his uncle and states that his elixir can make people fall in love and become rich. Dulcamara leaves and Adina and Nemorino are thankful for his magic elixir.
