The Elixir of Love

It’s amusing and heart-warming, a plot designed to delight. This new production of Gaetano Donizetti’s beloved opera buffa is set at the height of World War Two, on a posh country estate where love is in the air. When a dodgy travelling salesman arrives with a stock of love potions, Nemorino gives it a go. He adores the lady of the manor Adina, who actually loves him but is keeping her feelings to herself. When the young man takes the potion it seems to work. Playing cool, he’s soon surrounded by admirers. But can he win her heart?

Director Harry Fehr makes his English National Opera début for the show, and the soprano and former Harewood artist Rhian Lois sings Adina. Thomas Atkins sings Nemorino and Ava Dodd sings Adina on 5th December, replacing Lois for one performance. Dan D’Souza sings Belcore and Brandon Cedel is Dulcamara. Segomotso Shupinyaneng sings Gianetta . The conductor is the Austrian-Spanish genius Teresa Riveiro Böhm. Nicky Shaw is the Set Designer, Zahra Mansouri the Costume Designer, Mark Jonathan the Lighting Designer and Amanda Holden is the translator. Add it all up and you get something seriously special.