COMMUNITY EVENT • Charlottesville Opera Presents: The Elixir of Love

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE

Composed by Gaetano Donizetti

Libretto by Felice Romani

Based on Eugène Scribe’s libretto for Daniel Auber’s Le philtre (1831)

Reduced Orchestration by John Longstaff

Tenderhearted Nemorino is desperately in love with his lifelong friend, Adina. When a traveling salesman comes to town offering an elixir for every ailment, Nemorino approaches him for an Elixir of Love. The doctor presents a large bottle of cheap red wine, which Nemorino guzzles. Meanwhile, Adina is approached by the swaggering Sergeant Belcore, whose marriage proposal to Adina is interrupted by an emboldened Nemorino. The result? A rousing, fun, and romantic tale filled with beautiful melodies, joyous choruses, and lush vineyard vistas. Sung in Italian with English subtitles.

The Elixir of Love is made possible by Charlottesville Opera’s Presenting Sponsor: The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation. Additional support by Tessa Gowan Ader, whose gifts make possible the Ader Emerging Artist Program, training the next generation of great voices.

Conductor: Brian DeMaris

Stage Director: Cara Consilvio

Producer/General Director: Leanne P. Clement

Artistic Director: Caroline Worra

Scenic Designer: Oscar Escobedo

Lighting and Projection Designer: Kris Kirkwood

Costume Designer: Glenn Avery Breed and Wardrobe Witchery

Wig and Makeup Designer: James P. McGough

Chorus Master/Assistant Conductor: Emily Baltzer

Stage Manager: David Jackson

Assistant Director: Alyssa Van Gorder

Orchestra Contractor: Jeannette Jang

The Elixir of Love is presented by Charlottesville Opera, formerly Ash Lawn Opera, presenting opera and musical theater productions since 1978. Each summer, over 140 theater professionals, singers, orchestra musicians, directors, and designers gather in Charlottesville to produce two mainstage performances at The Paramount Theater in addition to concerts throughout the community in June and July.