Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore is one of the staples of the comic opera repertory. The plot hinges on whether earnest but dim-witted Nemorino will snag Adina, the flirtatious heroine. She's a tease who takes up with Belcore, an army sergeant, to make Nemorino jealous. After numerous (and humorous) plot twists that include a phony love potion, it all ends happily. Adina and Nemorino declare their love for each other, Belcore is dumped, and the fraudulent Dulcamara does a landslide business in love potions. It's all a fast-moving bundle of fun, especially with the star-filled cast of this 2005 Vienna State Opera performance.

Cast

Anna Netrebko

Adina

Rolando Villazón

Nemorino

Ildebrando d'Arcangelo

Dulcamara

Leo Nucci

Belcore

Inna Los

Giannetta

Alfred Eschwe

Conductor

Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper