L'elisir d'amore

  • 2012/2013 Season
  • Gaetano Donizetti : L'elisir d'amore
    Opera in 2 Acts
    Sung in Italian with Japanese Supertitles
  • OPERA HOUSE

"There are those who insist that the starting point of opera is to be found in Italian opera. And that opera should be, above all, a feast of voices," says Artistic Director Otaka Tadaaki. In selecting the lineup for our third season under Mr. Tadaaki, we made sure to look not just to the ever-popular Verdi and Puccini, but also those other composers who have left behind a legacy of glorious music. Gaetano Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) is one of the signature works of bel canto opera - "bel canto" being Italian for "beautiful singing". Donizetti ranks with Rossini and Bellini among the key composers of Italian opera, and one cannot talk about Verdi and Puccini without discussing Donizetti. We will be performing the Cesare Lievi production, which premiered in 2009. L'elisir d'amore presents the tale of Nemorino, a young man who realizes that he is in love with the beautiful Adina after hearing the romantic legend of Tristan and Isolde, and the struggles they face. The scenery includes a colossal book that is some nine meters tall and a small plane built to actual size. The production has been praised for its playfulness and sharp psychological portraiture. In the role of Nemorino will be Antonino Siragusa, who drew raves for his performance in the 2009 production of La Cenerentola (Cinderella). Adina will be sung by Nicole Cabell, a fast-rising star noted for her creamy voice. Ms. Cabell is also slated to perform the role of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni in April 2012. Narita Hiroyuki, who gave a winning performance in the opera when it was staged as part of the NNTT's Educational Programme for High School Students (Kansai production), will reprise his role as Belcore. Artistic Director Otaka Tadaaki performed the work numerous times with the late tenor Igarashi Kiyoshi, who also served as the NNTT Opera's second artistic director. Mr. Otaka has said that Igarashi's performance of the aria "Una furtiva lagrima / A furtive tear" left an indelible impression on people's hearts, and that this a work which holds special memories for him.

SYNOPSIS

Act 1
The village folk gather as Adina (S), a wealthy young farm owner, reads aloud from a book. The young peasant Nemorino (T) is in love with her. Sergeant Belcore (Br) arrives with his regiment and his eye falls on Adina. Adina is indifferent to Nemorino's interest. The quack doctor Dulcamara (B) sells Nemorino a "love potion" and says it will not take effect until the next day; the bottle contains only wine. The Sergeant returns. He has received orders to take his troops to a new location, and so proposes to Adina that they marry before the day is out. Nemorino worries that the elixir will not have time to work, and entreats them to wait one more day. This gets a cursing from Belcore. Adina invites all to a banquet, while Nemorino goes alone to seek the doctor's help.

Act 2
At a pre-wedding celebration for Adina and the Sergeant. Adina is sad to see that Nemorino is absent. Nemorino has joined Belcore's regiment as a means to earn the money for another bottle of the elixir. Gianetta (S) arrives with news that Nemorino's uncle has died and willed him a fortune. Nemorino himself arrives soon after, and as the young women suddenly shower him with attention, Nemorino believes the elixir is working. Adina tries to win Nemorino back. Seeing this, Nemorino becomes aware of her feelings and sings his famous aria, Una furtiva lagrima (A furtive tear). Adina has bought back Nemorino's military contract from Belcore and gives it to him; Nemorino exclaims that if he is not loved, he might as well go off to die as a soldier. The two confess their true feelings for each other. Belcore returns, and lets go of Adina with good grace. As Dulcamara leaves the village, a crowd gathers to give him a rousing farewell.

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