Donizetti's Operas: "Elixir of Love"

The Italian opera "Elixir of Love" (or "l'Elisir d'Amore") was penned in the 1830s by famed composer Gaetano Donizetti. The opera premiered in Milan, Italy, at the Teatro della Canobbiana, on May 12, 1832, and is still one of the top 20 operas performed in North America.
 
The opera was extremely popular from its launch and was performed often while the composer was still alive. It went out of fashion for about half a century but was later revived as a favorite of tenors, who find the "Una furtive lagrima" aria a wonderful showcase piece. A short summary of "Elixir of Love" follows.
 

Original Cast of "l'Elisir d'Amore"

  • Nemorino, tenor, played by Gianbattista Genero
  • Adina, soprano, Sabine Heinefetter
  • Sergeant Belcore, baritone, Henri-Bernard Dabadie
  • Dulcamara, bass, Giuseppe Frezzolini

"Elixir of Love" Plot Synopsis: Act I

In Act I, the audience meets the main characters, Nemorino and Adina. Nemorino is a poor village man in love with the wealthy and beautiful Adina. Though he tries to woo her, she consistently snubs him.

After hearing Adina read a story about the fabled elixir of love that bound doomed lovers Tristan and Isolde, he becomes convinced that this potion is the key to Adina's heart. He is especially pressed once the pompous yet impressive Sergeant Belcore sweeps in and romances Adina. Belcore asks Adina to marry him, and she says she will in six days' time.

When the traveling salesman, Dulcamara, arrives on the scene selling his wares, Nemorino asks whether he might happen to have the famed love potion. Dulcamara gives Nemorino a bottle of wine, claiming it is indeed the potion, and relieving Nemorino of all of his money in exchange. Dulcamara tells Nemorino that the potion is potent but that its effects will not be seen for 24 hours.

Nemorino drinks the potion and becomes convinced of its authenticity, feeling its effects immediately. He runs into Adina, who baits him with the news of her impending marriage, but Nemorino, convinced that the potion will make Adina fall in love with him the next day, is indifferent to her. This upsets Adina.

Meanwhile, Belcore has received word that he must leave the village the next day. The pre-wedding celebration is held that night, and Adina agrees to marry the next day. This puts Nemorino in a quandary: Will the elixir of love have enough time to work? He begs Adina to wait just one day, but she refuses. The feast continues, with the revelers mocking poor Nemorino.

"Elixir of Love" Plot Summary: Act II

Act II opens with the marriage feast still in full swing. When the notary approaches Adina to sign the wedding contract, however, she is unsure. Nemorino finds Dulcamara, the charlatan, and pleads for another remedy to the problem. Dulcamara says he has a cure, but that Nemorino has no money.

Belcore, who is curious as to why Adina is suddenly hesitant to marry, makes Nemorino an offer: If Nemorino signs up to be a soldier, he will be paid. Nemorino accepts in order to pay for the elixir. Belcore is pleased that he has so easily gotten rid of his rival by sending him off to war.

Unbeknownst to Nemorino, who has used his money to buy and consume the "elixir," his uncle has died, leaving him a large fortune. The village girls are aware of his new-found fortune and begin flirting with Nemorino, who takes this as a sign that the potion has worked. Adina sees Nemorino in a merry mood and asks Dulcamara what could have gotten into him. Dulcamara, unaware that Adina is the object of Nemorino's affection, tells her the tale of how the silly fool spent all of his money on fake potions to win the heart of a cold girl.

Adina is moved by this revelation and finally realizes that she loves Nemorino. She buys his enlistment contract from Belcore and presents them to Nemorino, who is no longer bound to leave. Along with her confession of love and the news of his inheritance, Nemorino's happiness is sealed. Dulcamara, meanwhile, attributes Nemorino's good fortune to his magical elixir, which the townspeople clamor to buy.

Resources

ABC Classic FM (2006). At the Opera: Elixir of Love. Retrieved January 19, 2008, from the ABC Classic Web site: http://www.abc.net.au/classic/opera/stories/s1554183.htm.

Stephen F. Austin State University (2007). The Elixir of Love Synopsis. Retrieved January 19, 2008, from the SFASU Web site: http://www.music.sfasu.edu/prospective_students/
voice_opera/elixir_synopsis.html.