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The Elixir of Love

By Gaetano Donizetti

Among Gaetano Donizetti’s incredibly large catalogue of operas, L’elisir d’amore of 1832 is one of the most recognizable and famous. A two-act melodrama and exemplar of 19th century opera buffa, the piece was written during a time of increasing European popularity for the composer, a time when Donizetti would conquer not only the comic form but the bel canto style as well with the ensuing Lucia di Lammermoor. These back to back creations would define his career and live forever among the finest examples of their respective genres.

The story of L’elisir is of Nemorino, a love-struck youth who cannot seem to hold the attention of his dream girl, Adina. He buys a “magic” potion but it doesn’t seem to work. It only begins to take effect on the other women of the town after news spreads of his rich uncle’s passing and this convinces Nemorino that he needs to buy more to use on Adina. But Nemorino has much to learn about elixirs and love, and the confusion he sows with his potion threatens to ruin everything.

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Additional Info

Student Ticket Policy: Student tickets are available for students to attend Utah Opera performances at a more accessible price. For convenience, two student tickets can be purchased per student ID. The student ticket price is available only in select seats at Capitol Theatre. You will need to show a valid student ID when picking up or purchasing tickets.

Student Single Tickets
Student tickets are available for this performance in advance for $10 and on the day of the performance for $15. Please enter promo code “student” on ArtTix.org, call 801-355-ARTS (2787), or visit any ArtTix outlet.

Student Design-A-Series
Students who attend four or more Utah Opera or Utah Symphony performances during 2011-12 season can receive special benefits by purchasing a Student Design-A-Series. Benefits include student tickets for performances where they are not normally available, free ticket exchanges, waived phone and counter fees, and invitations to events where you can meet Utah Symphony musicians. Subscribe online or call Patron Services at 801-533-NOTE (6683).

Opera-tunities
Junior and senior high school students with their teachers are invited at a minimal charge to attend final dress rehearsals of main stage Utah Opera productions on the Thursday before Opening Night in Salt Lake City's Capitol Theatre with events running from 7-10 PM. For more information, please visit www.usuoeducation.org.

Age Policy
This performance is recommended for audience members who are eight and older. No infants or babes in arms.

Learn more about the Utah Opera's student discount program

Conductor: Susanne Sheston
Director: Crystal Manich
Nemorino: Aaron Blake
Adina: Anya Matanovic
Belcore: Andrew Wailkowske
Dulcamara: Rod Nelman
Giannetta: Jennie Litster

ACT I
Basque country, c. 1830
Adina, wealthy owner of a local farm, her friend Giannetta and a group of peasants are resting beneath a shade tree on her estate. At a distance Nemorino, a young villager, laments he has nothing to offer Adina but love. The peasants urge their mistress to read them a story — how Tristan won the heart of Isolde by drinking a magic love potion. No sooner has Adina done so than Sgt. Belcore swaggers in with his troop. The soldier's conceit amuses her, but he is not dissuaded from asking her hand in marriage. Saying she will think it over, she orders refreshments for his comrades. When Adina and Nemorino are left alone, he awkwardly declares his love. She tells him his time would be better spent looking after his ailing uncle than mooning over her, for she is fickle as a breeze.
In the town piazza, villagers hail the traveling salesman Dr. Dulcamara, who proclaims the virtues of his patent medicine. Since it is inexpensive, the villagers buy eagerly. When they have gone, Nemorino asks Dulcamara if he sells the elixir of love described in Adina's book. Pulling out a bottle of Bordeaux, the charlatan declares this is the very draught. Though it costs him his last cent, Nemorino buys the wine and hastily drinks it. Adina enters to find him tipsy; certain of winning her love, he pretends indifference. To punish him, Adina flirts with Belcore, who, informed that he must return to his garrison, persuades her to marry him at once. Horrified, Nemorino begs Adina to wait one more day, but she ignores him and invites the entire village to her wedding feast. Nemorino rushes away, moaning that he has been ruined by Dulcamara's elixir.

ACT II
At a local tavern, the pre-wedding supper is in progress. Dulcamara, self-appointed master of ceremonies, sits with the bridal couple. Adina's mind is distracted by the doctor, who suggests they blend their voices in a barcarole about a gondoliera and her wealthy suitor. When the duet ends, Adina goes off with Belcore to sign the marriage contract; the guests disperse. Remaining behind, Dulcamara is joined by Nemorino, who begs for another bottle of elixir; his pleas are rejected, because he has no money. Belcore returns, annoyed that Adina has postponed the wedding until nightfall; he spies Nemorino and asks why he is so sad. The youth explains his financial plight, whereupon the sergeant persuades him to join the army and receive a bonus awaiting all volunteers. Belcore leads the perplexed Nemorino off to sign him up, enabling him to buy more elixir.
Peasant girls, gathered in the square, hear from Giannetta that Nemorino's uncle has died and willed him a fortune. When the youth reels in, giddy from a second bottle of wine, they besiege him with attention; unaware of his new wealth, he believes the elixir finally has taken effect. Adina and Dulcamara arrive in time to see him leave with a bevy of beauties, and she, angry that he has sold his freedom to Belcore, grows doubly furious. Hoping to sell Adina a bottle of elixir, Dulcamara claims that Nemorino's popularity is due to the magic potion. Adina replies she will win him back through her own charms. Reentering alone in a pensive mood, Nemorino takes heart because of a tear he has seen on Adina's cheek, but when she appears, he acts disinterested. She confesses she bought back his enlistment papers because she loves him.
Back in the piazza, Belcore marches in to find Adina affianced to Nemorino; declaring that thousands of women await him, he accepts the situation philosophically. Attributing Nemorino's happiness and inheritance to the elixir, Dulcamara quickly sells more bottles before making his escape.

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