New Production 2019

By Gaetano Donizetti

Conducted by Jane Anderson-Brown

South Devon based community opera company Red Earth Opera was formed in 2013 to involve locals in the making of beautiful opera and classical music. The 2019 Autumn production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore​ featured emerging professional soloists and a community based chorus and orchestra.

Director’s Note for the production - “Boy meets girl. Boy falls hopelessly in love with girl. Girl isn’t convinced. Boy seeks Love potion…

Smart and beautiful, Adina is the most popular girl in the village. The girls all want to be her and the boys all want to be with her. Undeterred, and admittedly punching above his weight, our hero, Nemorino declares his undying love for Adina with questionable results.

To his credit and even when faced with some stiff competition in the form of a visiting tough guy Belcore, our hero doesn’t give up. He’s determined to win the girl! So blinded by love is Nemorino, that he throws away every last cent of the little money he has on phony promises, in the form of a love potion.

The Elixir of Love is an opera full of charm and silliness, about the art of deception: mostly deception of oneself. Don’t we all know the ‘magical’ power of a placebo or a little bit of dutch courage? As Nemorino says…

“Wonderful drink! What extraordinary power you must conceal. I haven’t drunk a drop yet but feel so happy, the magic must be working!”

It may have been written over a hundred years ago but Donizetti’s opera still offers today’s audiences everything expected of a modern rom-com; unrequited longing, jealousy, rivalry, and of course romance. It also offers us an important insight: when it comes to a happy ending, only true - undeceived - love will do.

We welcome you to this performance of The Elixir of Love and hope you enjoy the Leavers Prom for the Class of ’19. Let the glorious music transport you and lighthearted joy of Donizetti’s Elixir of Love enchant you - no potion required!”