NCPA’s Production of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’Amore

Published on Apr 27, 2015

Rating:

Genre: NCPA

Dates: July 9-12, 2015

Prices: 100, 280, 380, 550, 600, 680, 880

Features: L'elisir d'Amore is a classic creation of the renowned Italian opera composer Gaetano Donizetti. From July 9th to July 12nd, NCPA’s Production of L’elisir d’Amore will stage in Opera House of NCPA.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

L'elisir d'Amore was premiered in Milan on May 12, 1832. During 30 years in his life, Donizetti, a very productive opera composer, created more than 70 operas. One of his most excellent operas was finished with only seven days and another with only six weeks. Donizetti's most popular operas include Lucia Di Lammermoorr (1833), Don Pasquale (1843), L'elisir d'Amore (1832) and La Fille du Regiment (1840), which were all finished in the 10 years of his most active creation period. During the 30 to 40 years in 19th century, Donizetti and Bellini were the major figures among the whole Italian opera circle. Donizetti and Bellini both have strong ability in melody composition. However, Donizetti is better in dramatic aspect and his orchestration is more outstanding and thoroughly considered due to the instruction of his teacher Simon Mayr, which also depends on Donizetti's extreme familiarity with all kinds of musical instruments. There is an example of his good application in instrumental casting: In Nemorino's famous aria Una furtiva lagrima in L'elisir d'Amore, Donizetti uses bassoon to lead out the aria with harp as the background.

Conductor: Pier Giorgio Bruno Morandi
Director: Pier Francesco Maestrini
Set Design: Juan Guillermo Nova
Costume Design: Wei Chunyan
Lighting Design: Vinicio Cheli
Orchestra: China NCPA Orchestra
Chorus: NCPA Chorus

SYNOPSIS

The story takes place in a small Italian village about two centuries ago.

A poor peasant Nemorino is in love with Adina but the beautiful landowner torments Nemorino with her indifference. Nemorino is also afraid she loves the self-important Sergeant Belcore who appears with his regiment and immediately proposes marriage to Adina in front of everyone.

The traveling quack salesman, Dulcamara arrives, selling his bottled 'love potion' to the townspeople. Nemorino drinks it, feeling its effects immediately. His confidence that he will win Adina causes him to act indifferently toward her. This upsets Adina and she ups the ante as well by agreeing to Sergeant Belcore's alternate suggestion: that they marry immediately as he has just received orders that the regiment must ship off the next morning.

Nemorino realizes that he has lost Adina. He sees the Doctor and begs him for another 'love potion'. When Nemorino says he has no money Belcore immediately suggests that if he joins the army he'll be paid immediately.

When Nemorino says he's seeking a better life in the army, Adina responds by telling him he is loved and that she has purchased his military contract. Seeing the two in an embrace, the Sergeant leaves. Dr. Dulcamara's potion makes him a rich man.