Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) was a light hearted operatic comedy that was staged for free at the Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts (445 S Magnolia Ave
Orlando,
FL
32801.) This truly classic opera endures the ages and speaks to the hearts of all who come in contact with it.
Elixir tells the story of a young, poor man, Nemorino (David Soto Zambrana)
who tries to win the heart of a beautiful wealthy woman, Adina (Romana Saintil). Add to
the mix a blustering self-absorbed officer, Belcore (Justin Morrison) and a traveling
quack doctor, Dr. Dulcamara (Juan Tomas Martinez) who claims to sell potions that cure
everything from psoriasis and old age to diabetes and – well, you name
it! – and you have the principal cast of one of the most beloved and
melodic operas ever written.
This modernized adaptation featured a cast member on a Segway which clearly set the scene in the modern day. The painted backdrop set the scene in a modern day park. Nemorino yearns for Adina from a distance. Sergeant Belcore his passion for Adina. Dulcamara sells a bottle of a love elixir to Nemorino who drinks it. He approaches Adina with a confident swagger and she is turned off and decides to flirt with Belcore. It was basically a story of how drinking lots of wine builds your romantic confidence and love wins in the end. It was a fun operatic romp.
The production was staged as part of the week long UCF Celebrates the Arts.