The Elixir of Love (Pafos Aphrodite Festival)

With the popular, romantic, comic opera L’Elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love) by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti Pafos Aphrodite Festival 2013 opens its curtain. L’Elisir d’Amore constitutes one of the most charming and melodic operas of the international repertoire but also one of the old time favourites of opera lovers worldwide. The choice of this work of opera brings innovation to the Festival since a comic opera will be presented instead of lyric drama.

Donizetti’s comic masterpiece L’Elisir d’Amore will be presented in a co-production between the Company Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus and the lyric organization Opera Futura Verona with the participation of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra.

The opera consists of two acts and the Italian libretto was written by Felice Romani based on Eugène Scribe’s Le Philtre (1831). It premiered at Teatro della Canobbiana, in Milan on 12 May 1832.

This opera has established Donizetti as composer of comic opera since he managed to introduce the emotional element into this genre of opera. In this work of opera Donizetti created a pleasant atmosphere where the dominant features are bright colours and pure emotions which to this day allows audiences to leave with a smile since comic elements are followed by emotional scenes.

For additional information please contact the offices of Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus in Pafos at 26822218 or visit the company’s website www.pafc.com.cy . Ticket prices are as following: €25 / €40 / €50 / €70

There is a simultaneous visual translation in Greek and English via subtitles.

L’Elisir d’Amore: the plot
Italy, 1836

The plot takes place at a small village in Italy and it narrates the love of a poor villager, Nemorino, for the beautiful, rich and coquettish Adina who is flirting with captain Belcore. Nemorino, believes that if he drinks a magic elixir she will fall in love with him. The travelling doctor Dulcamara takes advantage of Nemorino’s naivety and sells him a bottle of Bordeaux wine claiming that it is a love potion. Nemorino in order to find the money to buy the so called elixir joins the army. When Adina hears about it, she feels convinced for the intensity of his emotions, she confesses her love for him as well and their love story comes to a happy end.