Tacoma Opera: Donizetti's 'Elixir of Love'

Bernard Kwiram, conductor
Noel Koran, stage director
Denes Van Parys, chorus master

Gaetano Donizetti – L’elisir d’amore

At the other end of the spectrum from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, L’elisir d’amore ("Elixir of Love"), is one of the sunniest and sweetest comic operas ever written. It is the story of a simple country farm hand named Nemorino, who falls head over heels in love with the farm owner’s rich and haughty daughter, Adina. He is so desperately in love that he gives up everything he owns to buy a mysterious “love potion” from a traveling salesman, not knowing it is really just a bottle of country red wine. After a number of unexpected comic twists and turns, true love wins out and Adina finally admits she loves Nemorino. The music from this opera is possibly the most lyrical and sweetly beautiful of all bel canto operas and Nemorino’s aria “Una furtiva lagrima” in act 2 is one of the best known and beloved opera arias of all time. The Elixir of Love is a perfect opera for spring and a lovely way to end a highly dramatic season.

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