The Elixir of Love by Donizetti, sø. 11 sep. 2011, Fra (2011/2011), I regi av Franco Ripa di Meana, Dirigent Lü Jia, NCPA, Beijing, China

L'elisir d'Amore is a work of Italian famous opera composer Gaetano Donizetti. It was premiered in Milan on May 12, 1832. Donizetti is a very productive opera composer. During 30 years in his life, he created more than 70 operas. One of his most excellent operas was finished with only seven days and another with only six weeks. Donizetti's most popular operas include Lucia Di Lammermoorr (1833), Don Pasquale (1843), L'elisir d'Amore (1832) and La Fille du Regiment (1840), which were all finished in the 10 years of his most active creation period. During the 30 to 40 years in 19th century, Donizetti and Bellini were the major figures among the whole Italian opera circle. Donizetti and Bellini both have strong ability in melody composition. However, Donizetti is better in dramatic aspect and his orchestration is more outstanding and thoroughly considered due to the instruction of his teacher Simon Mayr, which also depends on Donizetti's extreme familiarity with all kinds of musical instruments. There is an example of his good application in instrumental casting: In Nemorino's famous aria Una furtiva lagrima in L'elisir d'Amore, Act II, Donizetti uses bassoon to lead out the aria with harp as the background.