5 Things to Know About THE ELIXIR OF LOVE

Donizetti’s 43rd opera was a runaway success from the start, blending romance, comedy, and irresistible melodies into a work that has delighted audiences for nearly two centuries. Composed in a matter of weeks, its enduring charm lies in a simple yet effective “formula”: a heartfelt love story, memorable characters, and music that captures both the humour and tenderness of human emotion.

A formula for success

Composed in under a month, with revisions being made right up to the final rehearsal, Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore) premiered in Milan on May 12, 1832. Over the next 15 years, it would be the most performed opera in Italy and remains one of the composer’s most popular operas today. Although officially classified as a dramatic melodramma giocoso, it is often considered an opera buffa for its light-hearted tone and comedic elements.

Helping hands

Desperate to win the love of the beautiful but fickle Adina, Nemorino purchases a “love potion” to capture her heart before it can be stolen by the preening and arrogant Sergeant Belcore. In a stroke of art imitating life, Adina ends up purchasing Nemorino’s military service from Belcore—just as Donizetti’s own military service was bought by a wealthy businesswoman from his hometown, saving him from having to serve in the Austrian army so he could instead devote himself to music.

A secret tear

Perhaps the opera’s most famous musical piece is the romanza, or romantic aria, “Una furtiva lagrima” (“A secret tear”), sung by Nemorino in Act II, scene 2, which remains a popular choice in tenor concert repertoire. Here, Nemorino begins to believe that the love potion he’s purchased is having its desired effect when he sees Adina weeping—and concludes that this proves she loves him.

Age-defying beauty

W.S. Gilbert—later to be known as one half of iconic Victorian theatrical duo Gilbert and Sullivan—wrote a burlesque adaptation of the opera in 1866. Titled Dulcamara, or the Little Duck and the Great Quack, it retained most of the plot and characters, although it replaced the love potion with “Madame Rachel’s Beautiful Forever Face Cream”.

Look out for the ice cream truck

In our production, director James Robinson sets the action in small-town Ontario in the days leading up to the First World War. Anchored by a garden pavilion, charming on-stage design touches include an ice cream truck and vintage motorcar. Such eye-catching details, in combination with Donizetti’s infectious melodies (and a run time just shy of two hours!) make this feel-good opera a perfect prospect for the entire family to enjoy.

The Elixir of Love appears at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts from May 8 - 29, 2027.

Photo Credits:

• Simone Osborne as Adina and Gordon Bintner as Belcore with Lauren Eberwein as Giannetta (at left, by railing in green dress) in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of The Elixir of Love, 2017. Photo: Michael Cooper.
• Simone Osborne as Adina in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of The Elixir of Love, 2017. Photo: Michael Cooper.
• Portrait of Gaetano Donizetti by Francesco Coghetti. 
• Photo of Sir William Schwenck Gilbert from The National Portrait Gallery.