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The Elixir of Love: ENO’s Delightful Wartime Romance Shines Bright
A Bel Canto Favourite Returns to London
Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) is one of the most cherished operas of the bel canto style, celebrated for its emotive melodies and vocal fireworks. This timeless comic melodrama, or opera buffa, is a global favourite, consistently ranking among the top 20 most-performed operas worldwide. This November, the English National Opera (ENO) breathes new life into this masterpiece at the London Coliseum, delivering a production that balances historical charm with contemporary wit.
A Brief History of The Elixir of Love
Premiering on 12 May 1832 at Teatro della Canobbiana in Milan, Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love quickly gained acclaim for its engaging storyline and heartfelt music. The libretto, penned by Felice Romani, is inspired by Eugène Scribe’s text for Daniel Auber’s Le Philtre (1831). This opera tells the tale of Nemorino, a poor but earnest worker, whose unrequited love for the spirited Adina leads him to seek the help of a dubious “doctor,” Dulcamara. What ensues is a hilarious and tender story of love, deception, and self-discovery, underscored by iconic arias such as the yearning Una furtiva lagrima (A Furtive Tear).
