The Elixir of Love

September 26. 2021 - October 08. 2021

September 26. 2021 - October 08. 2021

New-to-Chicago Production The Elixir of Love

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No operatic hero is more endearing than Nemorino, who pines for the flirtatious Adina. She’s the owner of the town’s hotel, he’s her delightfully naive waiter. His only hope to win her is the “elixir” sold by the quack, Dr. Dulcamara — little does he know that it’s just Bordeaux wine! From start to finish we root for Nemorino, as Adina toys with him until she finally lets him know how she really feels. Elixir is opera’s most heartwarming comedy, filled with Donizetti’s delectable music that brings nonstop smiles.

  • Language: Sung in Italian with projected English texts
  • Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes with 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

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Videos

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Mixing It Up with Ailyn Pérez and Kyle Ketelsen

Fall in love with THE ELIXIR OF LOVE stars Ailyn Pérez (Adina) and Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) as they chat about their formative years  at Indiana University, performing at Lyric, why they love Donizetti, and more.

Charles Castronovo performs "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's The Elixir of Love

In this poignant aria, Nemorino (sung here by tenor Charles Castronovo) sings of the hope he feels in seeing Adina's single, secret tear (Ailyn Pérez) which proves her love for him.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Donizetti's The Elixir of Love

No operatic hero is more endearing than Nemorino, who pines for the flirtatious Adina. She’s the owner of the town’s hotel, he’s her delightfully naive waiter. His only hope to win her is the “elixir” sold by the quack, Dr. Dulcamara — little does he know that it’s just Bordeaux wine! From start to finish we root for Nemorino, as Adina toys with him until she finally lets him know how she really feels. Elixir is opera’s most heartwarming comedy, filled with Donizetti’s delectable music that brings nonstop smiles.

Photos

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Ailyn Perez (Adina) and Charles Castronovo (Nemorino) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Ailyn Perez (Adina) and Charles Castronovo (Nemorino) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) and Ailyn Perez (Adina) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) and Ailyn Perez (Adina) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) and Ailyn Perez (Adina) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) and Ailyn Perez (Adina) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

The Elixir of Love (2021/22)

The Elixir of Love

A scene from The Elixir of Love (2021/22)

Photo: Cory Weaver

Denis Vélez (Giannetta) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Denis Vélez (Giannetta) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

Ailyn Perez (Adina) and Joshua Hopkins (Belcore) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Ailyn Perez (Adina) and Joshua Hopkins (Belcore) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

Joshua Hopkins (Belcore) and Ailyn Perez (Adina) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Joshua Hopkins (Belcore) and Ailyn Perez (Adina) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) and Charles Castronovo (Nemorino) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) and Charles Castronovo (Nemorino) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

Ailyn Perez (Adina) and Charles Castronovo (Nemorino) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

The Elixir of Love

Ailyn Perez (Adina) and Charles Castronovo (Nemorino) in The Elixir of Love (2021/22).

Photo: Cory Weaver

Articles

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Spotlight on Charles Castronovo

If you want glorious singing from a lyric tenor, go to YouTube and listen to Charles Castronovo in the “Serenade” from The Student Prince. Some listeners today consider that famous operetta number sugary and sentimental, but in Castronovo’s performance it becomes sublimely romantic, and his voice effortlessly spans the song’s two octaves, encompassing an ideally ringing high B-flat at the end.
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Get to know: Donizetti's The Elixir of Love

There’s no opera more sparkling than Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love). One of the gems of bel canto comedy, it’s sheer delight from start to finish. Welcoming these characters back to the Lyric stage in the 2021/22 Season will be like greeting a group of lovable friends who light up the room and spread joy everywhere.
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Spotlight on Joshua Hopkins

Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins is a man of many voices —master of Mozart, bel canto, French repertoire, and exceedingly challenging contemporary works. Effortlessly adapting his velvety instrument to the demands of every style he takes on, he invariably impresses not just with his voice and the terrific technique behind it, but also probing, thoughtful interpretations that mark him as one of today’s truly outstanding artists.
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Stepping back onto the Lyric podium

During a joyful afternoon at the Lyric Opera House in the fall of 2019, with red glasses on those present, Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president and CEO announced that Maestro Enrique Mazzola would be stepping into the role of music director starting with the 2021/22 Season. Now that he is preparing to take the podium for Verdi's Macbeth and Donizetti's The Elixir of Love in a new Lyric season — the first live performances in the Lyric Opera House in 19 months — we caught up with Maestro Mazzola to hear what he's been up to and how he's preparing.
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Enrique's Elixirs

As the first Ambassador of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Maestro Enrique Mazzola sees a close connection between music and wine production. This fall, he returns to the podium to conduct a star-studded production of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love. In anticipation of the musical feast, he has shared some of his favorite wine pairings for the beloved bel canto opera.
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The perfect 'Elixir' to beat the blues

This Donizetti comedy has been an audience favorite around the world since its premiere in 1832. These are just a few reasons why this new-to-Chicago production is the perfect escape for right now.
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Moving moments of the 2021/22 Season

Missing opera season? We are too. With two Lyric premieres — Florencia en el Amazonas and Fire Shut Up in My Bones — as well as exciting new productions and role debuts, there were countless memorable moments both onstage and off. In order to tide us over until the fall, here are a few of our favorite highlights from the 2021/22 Season.
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Meet the artists

* Lyric debut

Program book

Go inside this production of The Elixir of Love with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

VIEW DIGITAL PROGRAM BOOK

The Elixir of Love

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. & Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2021/22 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.

THe Elixir of Love Commentary by Elinor Olin

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Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by the following members of the Enrique Circle

Alice & John Butler

 

H. Gael Neeson

Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel

Robert & Penelope Steiner Family Foundation

The Enrique Circle is comprised of Lyric’s most dedicated supporters who are committed to championing Maestro Enrique Mazzola's exciting artistic vision and legacy.

Lyric’s presentation of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love is generously made possible by

Sonia Florian

Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production Circle.

A co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago and San Francisco Opera, originally created by Opera North, UK.

Production photos: Pittsburgh Opera/c. 2018 David Bachman Photography