L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) - Gaetano Donizetti
Information about the opera L'elisir d'amore by Gaetano Donizetti, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
This lively mixture of comedy and pathos is probably the most popular of Donizetti's operas.
Synopsis
The opera takes place in a Tuscan village at the end of the 18th century. Nemorino, a country lad, is in love with Adina, a wealthy young village beauty, but she rejects him and favours Sergeant Belcore. Nemorino buys a bottle of the Elixir of Love from the quack doctor Dulcamara. The elixir is actually wine, which gives Nemorino confidence with Adina, but this is shattered when Adina agrees to marry the sergeant.
In despair, Nemorino enlists in Belcore's regiment as a soldier to earn money to buy more elixir. When Dulcamara tells Adina about the elixir she realises that she loved Nemorino all along, and buys back his commission. The village celebrates as Dulcamara leaves, believing that his elixir worked.
Recommended recordings on CD
Bonynge/Sutherland/Pavarotti (Decca 414 461-2)
An excellent, fresh recording with fine performances from the main couple.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Richard Bonynge, 1969.
Cast: Dame Joan Sutherland (Adina), Luciano Pavarotti (Nemorino), Dominic Cossa (Belcore), Spiro Malas (Dulcamara).
Decca 414 461-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Benini/Siurina/Auty (Opus Arte OA 0125 D)
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Glyndebourne Chorus, conducted by Maurizio Benini, 2009.
Cast: Ekaterina Siurina (Adina), Peter Auty (Nemorino), Alfredo Daza (Belcore), Luciano Di Pasquale (Dulcamara).
Opus Arte OA 0125 D