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- Donizetti, Gaetano
Duration: 110 minutes
Description: Composed in just six weeks and premiered at Milan’s Teatro della Canobbiana on May 12, 1832, L’ELISIR D’AMORE (THE ELIXIR OF LOVE) is one of Gaetano Donizetti’s (1797-1848) most beloved comic operas. Set in a rural Italian village, the story centers on the sweet but naïve peasant Nemorino, who pines for the affection of the clever and independent Adina. In a bid to win her heart, he buys a supposed love potion from the wily traveling quack, Dr. Dulcamara. As romantic confusion unfolds, complicated by the boastful Sergeant Belcore, laughter and heartfelt emotion intermingle, leading to a joyous and sincere resolution. The opera is best known for the tenor aria “Una furtiva lagrima,” a moment of poignant introspection that reveals Donizetti’s gift for blending humor with genuine sentiment. With its engaging characters, buoyant score, and charming libretto by Felice Romani, L’ELISIR D’AMORE remains a staple of the operatic repertoire, delighting audiences with its warmth, wit, and melodic richness. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(1): Hp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Banda (1.0.2.0: 2.2.2.0: Perc[2]): Onstage (Cnt.Perc[1]): Vocal Soli (5 roles SATBB): Chorus. Reprint edition.