L’elisir d’amore

His name is Nemorino (hormone-ridden, little brain, big heart), her name is Adina (shrewd and seductive, but all in all a gentle soul), the other’s name is Belcore (big mouth, slightly rude) and the fourth one is Dulcamara (a true swindler, who is nonetheless harmless). All four are observed through the eyes of a choir, occasionally laid-back or gossipy, to complete the picture of one of the most delicate and tender musical comedies in history. Felice Romani’s libretto is matched by the stirring and masterly music of Gaetano Donizetti, uniquely capable of creating an elixir which touches the heart (“Una furtiva lagrima”), brings love (“Quanto è bella, quanto è cara”) and entertains (“Udite, udite, o rustici”) both audiences and protagonists on stage, after almost two centuries.