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L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) is a melodramma giocoso, a genre of Italian comic opera, in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti. Felice Romani wrote the Italian libretto after Eugène Scribe's libretto for Daniel-François-Esprit Auber's Le philtre (1831). L'elisir d'amore is one of the most frequently performed of all Donizetti's operas and there are a number of recordings. According to Opera America, it is the twentieth most performed opera in North America. Performance historyThe premiere was at the Teatro della Canobbiana, Milan on May 12, 1832. Roles
Noted arias
Synopsis
Act INemorino is in love with Adina, but he is sure she loves Belcore. When Nemorino hears Adina tell her workers of the story of Tristan and Iseult, he is convinced that a magic potion will gain Adina's love for him. The quack Dulcamara arrives, singing 'Udite, udite, o rustici' (Listen up, you peasants)! and sells his quack medicine. Dulcamara convinces Nemorimo to buy a magic love potion to solve his problem, but sells him only wine. Act IIAdina agrees to wed Belcore to spite Nemorino who is now ignoring her. He reacts by hastily joining the army to earn more money to buy more love potion. Unknown to Nemorino, but known to his village, he has inherited a large sum of money. The village girls flock to him which only convinces him that the love potion is working. Adina buys back his enlistment contract and confesses her love for him. RecordingsExternal link
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