L'elisir d'amore

Synopsis

Set amongst the olive groves of southern Italy, this witty and moving opera tells the story of a love rivalry between Nemorino, a pauper with a passionate heart, and Sergeant Belcore, who is a charming womaniser with a fantastically inflated ego. They vie for the heart of the beautiful, self-assured Adina, who is looking for a grand passion, reflected in her fascination with the story of Tristan and Isolde.

Our Review:

12 February 2013

In OperaUpClose’s production of L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love), the King’s Head Theatre welcomes us with an astro turf floor and stage walls covered in pink, orange and yellow flowers and a long pool, denoted by blue paint with wavy lighting and white squiggles for ripples. It is 1950s Hollywood, and the engaged starlet Adina (a standout Una Reynolds) is coveted by Nemerino (Alex Vearey-Roberts), her gardener/poolboy and an aspiring screenwriter.

Under Valentina Ceschi’s direction, the comic opera is a fun and clever two hours. We start with our lovebirds lounging by the pool, sipping martinis (or working, in Nemerino’s case) and eyeing each other behind aviators and cat eye shades. As they dash about in swimming trunks, Panama hats, sneakers and set hair, we get our second conflict.

Adina's fiancé Belcore (Marc Callahan), a soldier and budding Congressman, wants to set a date to make Adina ‘my trophy wifeR...

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Latest User Review

Richard H - 18 February 2013:

Loved it! Like your favourite Holywood musical only better sung. I saw the production with the other cast. i cannot imagine the above cast were better but I will see it again to find out....

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