Programme for Harry Fehr's new production of The Elixir of Love for 2024-2025.

World War II is at its height in this inventive new staging of Donizetti’s opera buffa, or romantic comedy, The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d‘amore).

Framed as a TV sitcom episode, this warm-hearted story of unrequited love unfolds with the arrival of a love potion salesman on a beautiful English country house estate staffed by Land Girls and locals.

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Adina, the lady of the manor, has long suppressed her feelings for Nemorino, who is working on the estate. She’s indifferent to his advances so he seeks the help of Dulcamara, a travelling salesman with a sharp suit and nice line in miracle cures. Nemorino discovers the power of playing it cool after drinking a love potion and becomes flavour of the month amongst the land girls and farmhands. But can he persuade Adina away from the charming Belcore?