This past Friday I went to see an Opera Buffa performance at the Metropolitan Opera entitled “L’elisir d’amore” by the Italian composer Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti. The opera was composed in 1832 and is one of the most frequently performed of all of his operas. Although it was recommended to me to listen to the music before I went to see the actual performance, I chose not to because I wanted true virgin ears entering the performance to aid in my enjoyment. Moreover, last year I had seen another opera entitled “La fille du Regiment” by Donizetti because the New York Times had given it a great review and I absolutely hated it, so I already had a preconceived notion that I would be equally disappointed with “L’elisir d’amore”. As soon as I heard the overture, I knew that this opera was going to be something different. To my surprise I was absolutely thrilled with this opera and the performers! The set of “La fille du Regiment” was tres honteux, but this set was absolutely beautiful, a set dazzling with bright colors and sexy stars wearing fantastic costumes! Juan Diego Flórez plays Nemorino, a peasant in love with Adina, played by Diana Damrau. Mariusz Kwiecien plays the boisterous sergeant, and Alessandro Corbelli plays the money hungry doctor who sells the elixir.
Juan Diego Florez, a world famous Peruvian opera tenor, was absolutely fabulous in his role as Nemorino. In fact, he truly “stole the show” with his mastery of the music and passion of his character. Woman young and old, including myself swooned over him. He had quite the stage presence. At his first note in Act I he would put anyone’s heart and mind at ease. He has incredible control of his voice. He has also played Tonio in “La fille du Regiment” although that is not a performance I had seen. I think many would agree that Florez truly carried the other characters on the wind of his voice and progressed the opera solely. Yes.
Diana Damrau, a German Soprano, possesses the sassy fire required by her character Adina. Last season Diana Damrau played Marie in “La fille…” but somehow I felt that particular role held her back. In contrast, her passion shined through completely in her role as Adina!
Mariusz Kwiecien, a polish operatic baritone, who plays the sergeant Belcore, was superb in his character as well. He has an amazing stage presence and a powerful voice that balances this robust orchestration equally. He also comically balances Nemorino as “his annoyance” and competition.
Dr Dulcamara played by Alessandro Corbeli, an Italian opera singer, has a magnificent voice but perhaps his facial expressions and ridiculous costume are even better! Skipping to and fro with such life provided the comical honesty needed to portray his character and he did it flawlessly.
To summarize the plot, Nemorino, a peasant, watches Adina, a beautiful and wealthy land owner reading a book daily. He comes to find out that the story she is reading is Tristan and Isolde, a story where Tristan wishes to gain Isolde’s love by drinking a love potion. Adina is then asked by Belcore, to marry him. She is unsure of her answer. Then, Nemorino finally professes his love to her and she rejects him. When a phony doctor, Dr. Dulcamara comes to town and offers an elixir that can cure anything, Nemorino jumps at the chance to buy his love potion with all of his money. The doctor equally jumps at the chance to make a buck and promises Nemorino lots of love from all of the ladies by the next day although he wishes only one love: Adina. However, the love potion is not truly a potion but a bottle of bordeux wine making Nemorino sick with love and drunkedness! The story’s fate is quite certain but Donizetti finds a way to keep one entertained from beginning to end.
I will not spoil the end for you. I recommend this Opera to everyone because it is actually entertaining and FUNNY.. unlike “La fille du regiment”. The singers, staging, music, and set are all fabulous and you will not be disappointed.