L’Elisir D’Amore

Set in a village in the Basque country in the early 20th century, L’Elisir D’Amore tells the story of a modern miss and wealthy farm owner, Adina, and her lovelorn suitor, Nemorino, just a village lad, who finally wins her, thanks to a couple of bottles of Bordeaux, sold to him by an unscrupulous travelling charlatan as a love potion!

A charming, light and airy village set provided a great backdrop to this light-hearted piece.  Costumes were simple, but told their own story somehow.  The villagers wear their simple peasant work-a-day clothing, including our hero Nemorino. Adina, on the other hand, shows that she is somewhat more sophisticated, a cut above the rest, wearing a more fashionable and probably quite expensive dress. Hmm, I thought, how will our simple Nemorino win over a girl like that? She is obviously set on acquiring a husband from a higher social strata. The soldiers’ uniforms were very colourful, but not nearly so dazzling as the snazzily dressed quack, Dulcamara, and his exotically garbed assistants.

I found the use of the string quintet to accompany this opera quite wonderful. It gave an intimacy one would not have enjoyed had there been a larger orchestra, and allowed the singers to dominate the intimate space of the Electric Theatre. Once again, excellent musical direction from Lewis Gaston.

All manner of things impressed with this production, but I think the thing that will stay with me was not only the marvellous voices, but the acting skills of all involved, including the chorus. Always in fine voice, with the acting skills to match, the chorus is one of the reasons why GOC can be relied upon to produce a fine production.

The at first haughty, modern Adina, (Callie Gaston), reading her clever books, somewhat shocked at the audacity of young Nemorino, - however did he think that she would find him attractive! - made an excellent job of ignoring him, and hoping that he would go away. Later, as she gradually realised his quiet, steady qualities, she began to thaw, and we began to believe in this partnership. A good performance, and a fine voice.

As for poor Nemorino, (Alex Haigh), we all felt for him, and sighed with him, and at the end delighted with him, in surprise, as he finally won fair maiden. I think I have never been so taken with the hero of an opera as I was with this Nemorino. He was a real person, which his wonderful rendition of the aria ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ emphasised. A stunning performance on both counts, voice and characterisation.

A regular performer with Guildford Opera Company, Simon Wilson gave us a great Dulcamara, delighted at the money-earning potential of this village, with its gullible inhabitants, and in great voice, tackling his jolly patter-songs very well. As for his two stunning assistants, so dazzlingly clad, and so theatrical in gesture, they definitely were part and parcel of Dulcamara’s success!

The chorus and soloists gave us some fine ensemble pieces, with the subtle accompaniment of the quintet, marvellous musical moments to remember. So we were able to enjoy this very sunny light-hearted and amusing opera in a very sunny week in Spring. It all seemed very fitting somehow!

Congratulations to Peter Melville (Director and Translator), and to Lewis Gaston (Musical Director) for providing us with a great production of this rather lovely Donizetti opera.

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