{"id":422,"date":"2014-12-15T11:15:53","date_gmt":"2014-12-15T11:15:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stuffbysofia.com\/blog\/?p=422"},"modified":"2014-12-15T11:16:16","modified_gmt":"2014-12-15T11:16:16","slug":"l-elisir-damore-funny-and-brilliantly-staged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stuffbysofia.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/l-elisir-damore-funny-and-brilliantly-staged\/","title":{"rendered":"L’ Elisir d’Amore | Funny and brilliantly staged"},"content":{"rendered":"

First opera I ever saw live was Strauss\u2019s Elektra at the Royal Opera House. Considering that, I would have been excused if I never wanted to see opera ever again. (It’s long, it’s powerful, it can be daunting but ultimately I found it addictive, probably because I love the Elektra story). Take my advice and if you want to introduce someone to opera don’t risk it. Choose Donizetti’s L’elisir d’Amore<\/strong> instead.<\/p>\n

Long story short, I had an extra ticket and through asking around I ended up going with my friend C<\/strong>. Neither of us knew that the other really liked opera. We are both very pleased with the discovery, we can now arrange more of these and gossip during the intervals.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Royal Opera’s L’Elisir d’amore \u00a9 ROH 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So. L’Elisir d’Amore. Simple story, bit of a comedy. Nemorino adores Adina, she scorns him. Enter Dulcamara with this amazing elixir (hence the name). A series of episodes ensues (she tries to make him jealous, he gets an inheritance but doesn’t know about it) to the happy ending. And they lived happily ever after.<\/p>\n

During the 50’s and 60’s, the golden years of Greek cinema<\/strong>, there were many\u00a0comedies with a plot revolving around some sort of mischief or misunderstanding. They were hilarious then and they are hilarious now. This is exactly what L’Elisir d’Amore felt to me. It was familiar<\/strong>, comfortable<\/strong> and funny<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Act<\/a>
Act I of L’elisir d’amore (C)ROH\/Catherine Ashmore, 2007<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The feeling was strengthened due to the brilliant staging – design<\/strong> to remind you of Italy in the 50’s. It was basically, my mum’s village in Northern Greece, complete with a coffee shop with a shed in the back for beer crates and an abandoned motorcycle. At some point, my granddad’s tractor was on stage. I’m telling you, it was uncanny.<\/p>\n

\"Lucy<\/a>
Lucy Crowe in L’elisir d’amore \u00a9 ROH.Mark Douet, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I think it was the first time I was seeing Lucy Crowe<\/a><\/strong> on stage. She was lovely as Adina, getting the youthful movement just right, the stubbornness, the love. She was great in her duet with Dulcamara (Bryn Terfel)\u00a0Io son ricco e tu sei bella<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Bryn<\/a>
Bryn Terfel and the cast of L’elisir d’amore \u00a9 ROH.Mark Douet, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Huge congrats go to Bryn Terfel<\/strong><\/a> of course who portrays Dulcamara as a scoundrel\u00a0(even the way he walks reinforces\u00a0this) but somehow a likable one. I just love how his voice worked with Crowe’s.<\/p>\n

The funniest by far was Levente Moln\u00e1r<\/strong><\/a> as Belcore, the sergeant\u00a0who flirts with Adina and she flirts back to make Nemorino jealous. I can’t tell you how many times we were laughing out loudly. And it’s not just because we are noisy Greeks. The rest of the audience was laughing too.<\/p>\n

\"Vittorio<\/a>
Vittorio Grigolo in L’elisir d’amore \u00a9 ROH.Mark Douet, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was truly a privilege to see Vittorio Grigolo<\/strong><\/a> too. He was in La Traviata too last season (if I’m not mistaken) but I watched that<\/a> with Francesco Demuro as Alfredo. I’ll have to book a date to see Grigolo next time. I think he would be brilliant in dramatic roles. He was so innocent and tender as Nemorino and the house went\u00a0nuts over his Una furtiva lagrima<\/em>.<\/p>\n

By the way. Opera has its hits too<\/em>. In most operas there is an aria (or something) that’s really well-known even outside opera fans (this goes for ballet too, just google the dance of the sugar plum fairy). Una furtiva lagrima<\/em> is that hit for L’Elisir d’Amore. Found this great video of Grigolo but really, if you really want to appreciate opera I would heartily recommend watching it live.<\/p>\n