L'Elisir D'Amore

Many operas have rather far-fetched plots and this one is no exception. The angle is that love potions exist and people believe in their efficacy, Well, OK, we'll go with that here. There are two versions of the effectiveness of an elixir. One involves the potion generating an intense desire on the part of person A for person B only. Here, the idea is that the potion makes Person B so enormously attractive that person A can't resist him - not quite the same thing. The problem is that B may attract the entirely wrong person. OK. let's forget it!

This version is a delightful romp sung beautifully as can be expected by Gheorghiu and masterfully by Alagna. The former is a most attractive Adina and the latter shows some acrobatic skills, falling over frequently and performimg well on a bicycle. A real star is Simone Alaimo who gives us a wonderful Dulcamara who can hardly believe his good fortune in encountering such a gullible character as Nemorino. Belcore is acted well and sung convincingly by Scaltriti but I do wish he didn't have to produce his fine voice from the side of his mouth.

The staging, choral and orchestral work is well up to snuff. I don't see any reason not to give the whole thing a five star rating

A very light-hearted, amusing opera with beautiful singing (with two mega operatic stars what else?). Thoroughly recommended and enjoyed.