Der Liebestrank

Nemorino is madly in love with Adina – unfortunately, she doesn’t see it quite the way he does! When the macho Sergeant Belcore shows up with his soldiers, seems to conquer Adina’s heart, and she even promises to marry him, Nemorino is deeply despaired. Fortunately, for him the quack doctor Dulcamara comes by singing the praises of miracle cures for all kinds of ailments. He conjures up a “love potion” for Nemorino, which turns out to be no more than a bottle of red wine, but ultimately achieves the desired goal. With “L’elisir d’amore”, the virtuoso melody maker

Gaetano Donizetti wrote (in just 14 days, supposedly) one of the most beautiful, cheerful Italian bel canto operas, full of loving humanity and cheeky liveliness. The audience enthusiastically celebrated “L’elisir d’amore” right away with its world premiere in 1832 in Milan. The opera’s popularity remains undiminished to this day – and almost every great tenor has melted hearts with “Una furtiva lagrima”!

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DER LIEBESTRANK programme reading sample