The Elixir of Love (1982)

A number of peasants gather around Adina, who reads to them the tale of Tristan, Isolde, and the famous love potion. The story is particularly impressive to Nemorino, a peasant who is in love with Adina. A detachment of soldiers is led in by the very blustery Sergeant Belcore. Offering flowers to Adina, he makes a bid for her favor. When Belcore and his men depart, Nemorino ardently tells Adina of his love for her; she laughs at his seriousness and says that she is too fickle for him.

The ebullient quack doctor, Dulcamara, who is enthusiastically hailed by the peasants, loses no time in recommending his wares, emphasizing that he has a remedy for every conceivable malady. Nemorino asks if he sells a love potion as effective as that used by Isolde. With unbounded assurance the doctor shows him a flask containing what he describes as “the magic liquor’.’ Nemorino, with his last cent, buys the potion, effusively thanks Dulcamara, immediately drinks the liquor, and becomes extremely elated. Adina is shocked upon her return to find the youth not only lighthearted but extremely indifferent to her. She therefore warmly welcomes Belcore, who now appears, and even promises to marry him at once. This sudden decision is prompted by the order to immediate duty of the Sergeant and his troops. Quite sobered, Nemorino begs Adina to wait at least a day, but she ignores him and invites everyone to celebrate her wedding to Belcore.

All is in readiness for Adina’s marriage to Belcore. Doctor Dulcamara shows the guests a barcarolle for two voices which he says is the latest thing in Venice. He and Adina sing the duet to the delight of all present. When Belcore announces the arrival of the notary, Adina becomes alarmed; she had not really intended to marry the Sergeant, only to provoke Nemorino. Everyone leaves, singing a happy chorus. Dulcamara refuses to give the despairing Nemorino another bottle of the elixir, which is really just a cheap wine, because the boy has no money.

Somewhat irritated because Adina has postponed signing the marriage contract, Belcore enters and notices Nemorino’s dejection. When Nemorino tells him the reason for his depression, Belcore persuades the young man to enlist in the army, since he will thus immediately receive twenty crowns. This appeals to the youth, who now considers the dangers of war an acceptable risk.

Giannetta tells the peasant girls that Nemorino has suddenly inherited wealth from an uncle. This exciting news causes them to regard Nemorino in a new light. A tipsy Nemorino gaily returns, having bought and partaken freely of a large quantity of Dulcamara’s elixir. He doesn’t yet know about his inheritance, and ascribes the peasant girls’ flattering attention to the magic potion.

Adina enters and is delighted to see Nemorino, but is perplexed as to why he is so happy. Dulcamara tells her that the peasant so loved her that he enlisted in the army to obtain enough money to buy a love potion. Deeply impressed by this, Adina is nonetheless saddened to see herself neglected while Nemorino is pursued by her young friends. Nemorino is sure that certain glances from Adina betray her love for him. He hopes that she will soon show it openly. Adina offers to cancel his military commitment, advising him to remain among those who love him. To lead her on, Nemorino hands the papers back to her, saying that he is determined to reenlist. At this point, Adina gives in. They joyfully prepare to sign the marriage con- tract. Dulcamara boasts that it was his potent libation which has effected this happy moment for the lovers. Belcore discovers he has been jilted, but he philosophizes good-humoredly about it.