L'ELISIR D'AMORE - SYNOPSIS
(The Elixir of Love)
Act I
Gianetta, one of the young village girls, and the farm workers are taking a break from their labours. Adina, a wealthy landowner is reading a book. She is admired from afar by the young peasant, Nemorino, who is hopelessly in love with her. She bursts out laughing, and she explains to all that she is reading about how Tristan won the heart of Isolde by giving her a magic potion that made him irresistible! Nemorino yearns to have such a potion so that he may win Adina’s heart.
A platoon of soldiers headed by Sergeant Belcore, arrives in the village. He gives Adina a bouquet of flowers and proposes marriage. Left alone with her, Nemorino repeats his declaration of love. Adina rejects his advances saying that she is capricious and not the sort of woman for him.
Doctor Dulcamara, a traveling quack, arrives in the village. The doctor claims to have a cure for everything. Nemorino asks if he has any of Queen Isolde’s Potion. Dulcamara sells Nemorino a bottle of cheap Bordeaux, which will supposedly take effect within 24 hours. Time enough for him to leave town! Nemorino drinks some of the supposed “potion” and becomes happily drunk.
Adina is confused by the change in his behavior. She is also astounded by his apparent indifference to her. Belcore returns and woos her. To annoy Nemorino, Adina promises to marry Belcore in a week. News arrives that Belcore and his detachment are to leave next day. To further annoy Nemorino, Adina agrees to advance the wedding to later that day. Nemorino begs her to wait 24 hours. Adina refuses and invites everyone to come to her wedding. Nemorino calls desperately for Dulcamara’s help.
Act II
The wedding celebrations are in progress. Adina wants to delay signing the marriage contract until Nemorino is present. Then her revenge will be complete. Nemorino arrives in despair. He reasons that another dose of the “elixir” should help, but he needs money to buy it. Belcore suggests that he enlist in the army for cash. Nemorino signs the agreement and, with money in his pocket, goes in search of Dulcamara.
Meanwhile, Gianetta, has found out that Nemorino’s rich uncle has died, leaving him a fortune. She and the village girls shower him with attention. Nemorino attributes this to the success of the potion. Adina tries to tell Nemorino that he has made a mistake by enlisting, but the girls drag him off to dance. Dulcamara tells Adina about his “elixir” and offers her some as well, as he sees that she loves Nemorino. Adina refuses the offer saying that her eyes alone will do the trick.
Adina tells Nemorino that she has bought him out of his army contract and he can stay in the village. Finally, she admits she loves him. Nemorino is told of his sudden inheritance; Belcore accepts losing Adina; and Dulcamara tells the world that his elixir not only cures the lovesick, it also makes them rich! He sells his remaining stock of cheap Bordeaux to the eager villagers and leaves to a chorus of admiration and farewell.
