Gaetano Donizetti’s ‘The Elixir of Love’ this Saturday on WHRO-FM

This Saturday at 1:00 p.m., WHRO-FM begins August with a delightful opera afternoon featuring Donizetti’s ”The Elixir of Love”. This melodramma giocoso, a blend of comedy, romance, and heartfelt emotion, comes to us from the beautiful stage of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.
“The Elixir of Love” is a charming romantic comedy set in a small Italian village. The shy and impoverished Nemorino is hopelessly in love with the wealthy and spirited Adina, who teases him while attracting the attention of the swaggering Sergeant Belcore. Desperate to win her heart, Nemorino buys what he believes is a magical love potion from the traveling quack Doctor Dulcamara. The "elixir" is nothing more than cheap wine, but Nemorino's newfound confidence leads to a series of comic misunderstandings. In the end, Adina realizes she truly loves him, proving that genuine love needs no magic potion.
Originally created in 1983 and part of the Liceu's repertoire since the late 1990s, Mario Gas' production relocates the story from the traditional pastoral village to Italy in the early years of Mussolini's Fascist regime. Gas uses the political commentary as a colorful backdrop that heightens the opera's humor. The cast is led by soprano Pretty Yende as Adina, the spirited and independent young landowner, and Michael Spyres as the lovesick Nemorino, whose heartfelt tenor brings warmth and sincerity to the role. Baritone Jan Antem portrays the swaggering Sergeant Belcore, while fellow baritone Fabio Capitanucci is the flamboyant Doctor Dulcamara. Soprano Núria Vilà completes the principal cast as Giannetta, Adina's lively friend. Conducting the Gran Teatre del Liceu Orchestra, Diego Matheuz highlights the music's bel canto grace, balancing buoyant comic ensembles with moments of touching intimacy, particularly in Nemorino's famous aria, "Una furtiva lagrima."
Tune in to WHRO-FM 90.3 for a joyful afternoon of comedy and romance with Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love”, or listen online via our Media Player, this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.