L'elisir d'amore (pronounced [leliˈzir daˈmoːre]; The Elixir of Love) is a comic melodrama, also called opera buffa, in two acts by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. Felice Romani wrote the Italian libretto based on a version by Eugène Scribe for Daniel Auber's opera Le philtre from 1831. The opera was first performed on May 12, 1832, at the Teatro della Canobbiana in Milan. It has been regularly performed in opera houses around the world since its premiere.

Composition history

During a six-week period, Donizetti made several changes to the original libretto written by Scribe. One of the most famous changes was adding the aria "Una furtiva lagrima" and the duet between Adina and Nemorino in the first act, titled "Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera." The melody from the duet "Io son ricco e tu sei bella" in Act 2, Scene 1 is reused in the opera's final scene, where it is sung by Dulcamara as a solo aria with new vulgar lyrics. The main story theme, the triumph of sincerity, reflects the Romantic style. Musically, Donizetti's version is more romantic than Auber's version of L'elisir d'amore, which includes three major duets between the tenor and soprano. Additionally, there is personal history tied to the opera: Donizetti avoided military service in the Austrian army because a wealthy woman paid for his exemption, unlike his brother Giuseppe, who was also a well-known composer.

Performance history

The opera L'elisir d'amore was first performed at the Teatro della Canobbiana in Milan on May 12, 1832. Between 1838 and 1848, this opera was performed most frequently in Italy. Enrico Caruso first sang the role of Nemorino in February 1901 at La Scala, with conductor Arturo Toscanini. The audience's reaction was so positive that Caruso and the orchestra repeated the aria "Una furtiva lagrima" three times. After the performance, Toscanini said: "Per Dio! Se questo Napoletano continua a cantare così, farà parlare di sè il mondo intero" (Heavens! If this Neapolitan continues to sing like this, he will be talked about all over the world). L'elisir d'amore remains one of the most performed operas by Donizetti. It is listed as number 13 on the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide between 2008 and 2013.

Synopsis

Nemorino, a poor farmer, is in love with Adina, a wealthy landowner, who does not care about him. When Nemorino hears Adina read a story about Tristan and Isolde to her workers, he believes a magic potion can help him win Adina's love. Sergeant Belcore, a proud soldier, arrives with his army and begins to court Adina in front of everyone. Nemorino becomes worried (even though Adina secretly mocks Belcore's confidence) and tells Adina he loves her. Adina refuses him, saying she wants a new lover every day and tells Nemorino to follow her example. Nemorino insists his feelings will never change. A traveling doctor named Dulcamara, who calls himself Dr. Encyclopedia, arrives and sells a "cure-all" to the townspeople. Nemorino asks Dulcamara if he has Isolde's love potion. Although Dulcamara does not know who Isolde is, he sells Nemorino a bottle of "elixir," which is actually cheap red wine, for all the money Nemorino has.

Dulcamara tells Nemorino the potion needs 24 hours to work, so he will be gone by then. Nemorino drinks the potion quickly, hoping it will help him win Adina the next day. Feeling confident (but actually drunk), he acts uninterested when he sees Adina, thinking the potion will help him win her. Adina becomes frustrated; perhaps she has feelings for Nemorino after all? Belcore returns and proposes marriage to Adina. Still upset with Nemorino, Adina lies and says she will marry Belcore in six days. Nemorino laughs, still believing in the potion. However, when Belcore learns his army must leave the next morning, Adina agrees to marry him before his departure. This frightens Nemorino, who calls for Dr. Dulcamara's help. Adina invites everyone to her wedding with Belcore.

At the wedding party, Dr. Dulcamara encourages Adina to sing with him. A notary arrives to make the marriage official. Adina is upset that Nemorino has not shown up, as the marriage was meant to teach him a lesson. While others go to sign the contract, Dulcamara stays to eat and drink. Nemorino arrives, sad, thinking he has lost Adina. He begs Dulcamara for a stronger elixir but is refused when he has no money. Belcore notices Nemorino's sadness and offers him a job in the army for money. Nemorino signs a contract for payment and vows to buy more potion to win Adina. Belcore thinks sending Nemorino to war will rid him of a rival.

After the men leave, Giannetta tells the village women that Nemorino's uncle has died and left him a large fortune. Neither Nemorino nor Adina knows this yet. Nemorino returns, having spent his army money on more fake elixir. The women act overly friendly toward him, which he takes as proof the potion works. Adina sees Nemorino with the women, becomes confused, and asks Dulcamara for an explanation. Dulcamara says Nemorino spent all his money on the potion and joined the army to get more, desperate to win the love of a cruel woman. Adina realizes Nemorino is sincere and regrets her behavior. She decides she has loved Nemorino all along.

Nemorino, thinking he saw a tear in Adina's eye earlier, believes she loves him. Adina enters and asks why he joined the army. Nemorino says he wanted a better life, and Adina tells him she has bought back his contract from Belcore. She offers him the canceled contract and says if he stays, he will be happy. When Adina turns to leave, Nemorino thinks she is leaving him and becomes desperate, vowing to die if he is not loved. Adina is moved by his loyalty and declares she will love him forever. They kiss, and Belcore returns, accepting Adina's choice calmly. Adina and Nemorino learn about the inheritance from his uncle. Dulcamara returns, proud of his "elixir," and everyone buys his potion, praising him as a great doctor.

Noted excerpts

The opera includes the well-known tenor aria "Una furtiva lagrima," a song that has been performed many times in concert halls.

• "Quanto è bella, quanto è cara" (How beautiful she is) – Nemorino, scene 1
• "Della crudele Isotta" (Of the cruel Isolda) – Adina, scene 1
• "Esulti pur la Barbara" – Adina and Nemorino
• "Come Paride vezzoso" (Just as the charming Paris) – Belcore, scene 1
• "Udite, udite, o rustici" (Listen, listen, o peasants) – Doctor Dulcamara, scene 2

• Barcarolle for two voices "Io son ricco e tu sei bella" (I am rich, and you are beautiful) – Dulcamara, Adina, scene 1
• "Venti scudi!" – Nemorino and Belcore, scene 1
• "Una furtiva lagrima" (A furtive tear) – Nemorino, scene 2
• "Prendi, per me sei libero" (Take it, I have freed you) – Adina, scene 2

Arrangements and adaptations

In 1840, Richard Wagner created a version of the work for solo piano. In 1866, W. S. Gilbert wrote a burlesque adaptation of the opera, titled Dulcamara, or the Little Duck and the Great Quack.