Nápoj lásky

Gaetano Donizetti composed his fortieth opera in just a fortnight. Its successful premiere took place in 1832 in Milan's Teatro alla Canobbiana. The opera is essentially a greaser's history with a love plot inserted into it, and it draws heavily on the tradition of Italian folk singing. From the simple story of the naive countryman Nemorino, who falls in love with the rich landowner Adina and seeks her favor through a magical drink, which is nothing but red wine, Donizetti created one of the most sparkling operatic comedies. It overflows with great gags and tender melodies, and it is admirable how the composer can outline the situation and describe the human characters in a few measures: the cunning trickster Dulcamar, who has in his assortment not only a medicine for rejuvenation, but also a miraculous potion of love, the boastful Sergeant Belcora, the self-confident beautiful Adina and the timid Nemorin.