The Elixir of Love by Donizetti, Noiztik (2025/2025), Zuzendaria Daniele Menghini, Zuzendaria Fabrizio Maria Carminati, Teatro Regio, Turin, Italy

“Hear, hear, o peasants!” calls out the charlatan Dulcamara to attract the attention of the villagers and sell his concoctions to the gullible. Among them is the hapless Nemorino, who pays a dear price for a love potion he hopes will help him win the heart of an indifferent Adina. When the potion fails to produce its promised effect, only the goodness and steadfastness of Nemorino will conquer his belle and draw from her “a furtive tear.” L’Elisir d’Amore is Donizetti’s most-performed opera. The resounding success of its debut in 1832 left even the composer astonished. There is indeed something miraculous in the work, in its ability to elicit raucous laughter and move hearts at the same time—all thanks to Felice Romani, the greatest librettist of the age, and, above all, Donizetti, whose light-hearted score brings together the sentimental voice of wind instruments, heart-wrenching melodies, and brilliant choruses. In this new co-production with the Teatro Regio of Parma, director Daniele Menghini transforms the love story into a magical fairytale, full of puppets and marionettes that sing and dance. As the hapless Nemorino, René Barbera lends the mellow elegance of his tenor voice to a role he considers one of his favourites; as Adina, soprano Federica Guida will have the chance to show all the versatility of her talent, both in the livelier numbers and the sentimental pieces. Alongside them appear two brilliant, expert performers—Davide Luciano as Belcore and Paolo Bordogna as Dulcamara. The opera will be conducted by maestro Fabrizio Maria Carminati, an expert in the Bel Canto repertoire.