L'Elisir D'Amore

Nemorino, a naive village boy, is besotted with Adina, a farm owner, but she rejects his declarations of love. Fortunately, Doctor Dulcamara is on hand with the 'love potion' of the opera's title, to help him win her heart.

L'elisir d'amore is one of the most frequently performed of all Donizetti's operas: it combines a touching love story and hilarious comedy with beautiful music, including the well-loved aria 'Una furtiva lagrima'. Its premiere in Milan in 1832 was a triumph and secured Donizetti's place as one of the leading Italian opera composers of his day.

The Royal Opera's charming production is set in the sun-drenched countryside of 1950s Italy, complete with haystacks, Vespas and even a stray dog. It is injected with lively, visual humour – from Nemorino's tipsy clowning to Dulcamara's lumbering truck from which he sells his quack remedies. Donizetti deftly brings his cast of characters alive with a sparkling score: Nemorino's devoted love for Adina is expressed through lyrical arias, while her animated, flamboyant style softens as her feelings towards Nemorino begin to change.

Running time is approx. 2 hours 45 minutes, including one interval.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.