Page 4 - Elixer of love

which a leadingactor sings part of the aria.

Welcome to the operatic Adina also has her own story arc. In some productions she
comedy The Elixir of Love is characterized as mean, and undeserving of Nemorino’s
by Donizetti. One of the love. I prefer a more complex interpretation – that as a
great things about the woman of means, she doesn’t trust men who woo her,
opera is that the story is so because so many of them just want her money. In Act II
relatable and accessible to we see her growing realization that not only has she treat-
the audience. The theme of ed Nemorino unfairly, but that she really does love him,
the shy young man who is despite herself. Her confession of love is truly touching
in love with the successful, and joyful.
beautiful and (he thinks)
unobtainable young wom- Composed by Donizetti in a matter of weeks, the music is
an, is really timeless. That is an exhilarating example of the bel canto (beautiful singing)
why it is easy to “update” style. The score is filled with delightful arias, duets, and
the opera to many different ensembles, and it is easy to see why audiences all over the
eras and settings – the sto- world delight in it. You will be impressed with our wonder-
ry is universal. ful cast of leading singers. Every one of them not only sing
their roles beautifully and skillfully, but also bring great
In the 1990’s, Eric “Buck” Townsend, founder of Townsend acting and comedic timing to the stage.
Opera, which is now Opera Modesto, mounted a produc-
tion of this opera in a western style. We decided that as an I am grateful for the support and collaboration with our
homage to Buck and our neighbors in Oakdale, we would new Music Director, Caleb Yanez Glickman. We have en-
reprise the Western theme, and nominally set the story in joyed working together on this delightful score!
The Cowboy Capital of the World, circa 1898.
The story is a Rom-com, filled with some predictable comic I would also like to invite the audience to take special note
characters that go beyond the stereotypes. There is so of our large combined chorus, who have worked very hard
much charm and hilarity in the opera, but there are also on this demanding piece. Many in the adult chorus are
moments of vulnerability and seriousness, particularly in graduates of the Opera Modesto Summer Opera Institute
the characters of Adina and Nemorino. Creating the bal- for teens, putting their new-found knowledge and skills to
ance between these emotions is very important to the good use in this opera. Although Donizetti didn’t include a
story-telling, and is part of the reason that this opera has children’s chorus, we invited our enthusiastic youth chorus
always been an audience favorite. to participate in some key scenes. The energy and joy of
our combined choruses have been an inspiration and a
delight!
Nemorino is perhaps the most adorable of all operatic
tenor roles. He is the shy underdog, who perseveres de-
spite all the challenges, and we love him for it! It doesn’t Welcome to the fun, and enjoy the show. Yeehaw!
hurt that he has one of the most beloved arias to sing in
Act II – “Una furtiva lagrima”. This aria is well known to Annalisa Winberg - Stage Director, The Elixir of Love
opera aficionados and lovers of the movie The Goonies, in Opera Modesto Artistic Director