L'ELISIR D'AMORE

28 May - 21 July 2025

Donizetti’s most joyous and sparkling opera is packed with effervescent melodies and overflowing with warmth and humour. Returning after their vivid and opulent Il barbiere di Siviglia in 2023 are director Christopher Luscombe and designer Simon Higlett to bring this romantic comedy to life. We also welcome back Chloe Rooke to conduct the Philharmonia Orchestra after conducting in our Gala Concert last summer.

When Nemorino despairs of winning Adina’s love, he is easy prey to Dr Dulcamara who sells him a bottle of elixir he can ill afford, and he swigs the entire contents in one go. Needless to say, it is not an elixir at all. However, the cheap alcohol has a powerful effect, enabling him to lose his inhibitions and enjoy a new-found confidence. Adina, who had been about to marry the swaggering soldier Captain Belcore, realises that her heart may belong elsewhere. The women of the village discover that Nemorino, unbeknownst to him, has inherited a fortune from his uncle and all of a sudden find him absolutely irresistible. Will these entanglements be resolved? Will the path of true love eventually be smoothed?

Sung in Italian with English supertitles