Sign Up | Log In

Write a Review
Post a Quick Tip
Create a List
Ask a Question
Create a Poll
Create a Community

Movies •Books •Music •Food •Tv Shows •Technology •Politics •Video Games •Parenting •Fashion •Green Living •more >

Lunch » Tags » Music » Reviews » L'elisir D'amore

L'elisir D'amore

2 Ratings: 4.5

Donizetti's Elixir of Love

L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) is an opera by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. It is a melodramma giocoso in two acts. Felice Romani wrote the Italian libretto, after Eugène … see full wiki

Tags: Music, Classical Music, Italy, Opera, Operas

1 review about L'elisir D'amore

Showing 1-1 of 1

Sort by:

Opera meant to tickle

Jun 8, 2010

by JuneAnn
posted in Music : Classical & Opera

Rating:

I love most operas, even when the tenors die in the end, but for me there's nothing better than the amusing frolicking wit of Gaetano Donizetti in his charming composition L'Elisir D'Amore. What better setting than an old winery in Italy where the daughter of the proprietor possesses the mind and heart of a simple country boy, Nemorino.

My favorite was the 1981 production with Luciano Pavarotti and Judith Blegen playing the leads. It's a great opera for those just dipping their toes into opera because it's so light-hearted, and it's fun to watch the poor country boy (Pavarotti) believing with all his heart that very soon the beautiful Adina will fall in love with him because of the magical love potion he has bought from Dr. Dulcamara.

Of course, in the end, after the lovesick Nemorino is tortured by his unrequited love, Adina declares her love. Yes, it sounds sappy, but it's so fun that my seven-year-old son loved it and watched it again and again throughout his life (he's 21 now) and still looks for the aria Una Furtiva Lagrima (everyone's favorite in that opera).

I think that had I not discovered this beautiful production, my children (all grown now) would never have come to appreciate how much fun a night at the opera can be.

What did you think of this review?

Helpful

Thought-Provoking

Fun to Read

Well-Organized

Post a Comment

Sharrie June 12, 2010

Sounds like great fun, JuneAnn! I've not hear of this but from your review, it certainly is appealing! I'd have to check it out! Thanks for the recommendation!

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

cpw1952 June 08, 2010

Great job on the review.

JuneAnn June 08, 2010

Thanks! What's your favorite opera?

Expand 1 more response

cpw1952 June 08, 2010

You may well call me a Philistine for this but my favourite opera is actually operetta ... I swear I could watch GIlbert and Sullivan's entire repertoire at a single sitting but my favourite has to be "The Gondoliers"!

JuneAnn June 08, 2010

Not at all Philistine; G&S have such happy ditties that always put me in a good mood!

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review