THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Felice Romani
Based on Eugène Scribe’s libretto for Daniel Auber’s Le philtre (1831)
Reduced Orchestration by John Longstaff
Tenderhearted Nemorino is desperately in love with his lifelong friend, Adina. When a traveling salesman comes to town offering an elixir for every ailment, Nemorino approaches him for an Elixir of Love. The doctor presents a large bottle of cheap red wine, which Nemorino guzzles. Meanwhile, Adina is approached by the swaggering Sergeant Belcore, whose marriage proposal to Adina is interrupted by an emboldened Nemorino. The result? A rousing, fun, and romantic tale filled with beautiful melodies, joyous choruses, and lush vineyard vistas. Sung in Italian with English subtitles.
The Elixir of Love is made possible by Charlottesville Opera’s Presenting Sponsor: The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation. Additional support by Tessa Gowan Ader, whose gifts make possible the Ader Emerging Artist Program, training the next generation of great voices.
Conductor: Brian DeMaris
Stage Director: Cara Consilvio
Producer/General Director: Leanne P. Clement
Artistic Director: Caroline Worra
Scenic Designer: Oscar Escobedo
Lighting and Projection Designer: Kris Kirkwood
Costume Designer: Glenn Avery Breed and Wardrobe Witchery
Wig and Makeup Designer: James P. McGough
Chorus Master/Assistant Conductor: Emily Baltzer
Stage Manager: David Jackson
Assistant Director: Alyssa Van Gorder
Orchestra Contractor: Jeannette Jang
The Elixir of Love is presented by Charlottesville Opera, formerly Ash Lawn Opera, presenting opera and musical theater productions since 1978. Each summer, over 140 theater professionals, singers, orchestra musicians, directors, and designers gather in Charlottesville to produce two mainstage performances at The Paramount Theater in addition to concerts throughout the community in June and July.