L'elisir d'amore, Royal Opera House

Donizetti’s comic opera L’elisir d’amore was an instant success in 1830s Milan, playing more than any other opera in Italy in the twenty years that followed its premier – quite the feat, considering these years were some of the most fertile in Opera’s history.
The acclaimed Royal Opera House production, however, presents little of the country that Donizetti knew, resetting the tale in the sun-drenched Italy of the 1950s, complete with Vespas and stray dogs. It’s the production's third revival since 2007 of what many consider to be maverick French director Laurent Pelly’s magnum opus - showcasing Pelly's distinctive ability to blend humour and tenderness, honed over decades of work in theatres and opera houses throughout the world. Notable too is his penchant for designing as well as directing his shows - L'elisir is as visually exciting as it is musically.
The opera tells us the tale of a lowly peasant who falls in love with a beautiful landowner. Needless to say, his love’s unrequited, and thus a travelling ‘doctor’ and his ‘love potion’ are enlisted to help.
These characters are in the safe hands of a typically auspicious cast. The leading man is young italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo, who’s become a world-star since his ROH debut in 2010. Having recently appeared in The Barber of Seville and West Side Story, he possesses the lightness of touch to pull off a comic role - a skill that seems to elude many 'leading men'. Lucy Crowe, playing his love interest, is sure to dazzle with the vocal fireworks typical of Donizetti’s trademark Bel Canto style. But perhaps most exciting is the presence of Welsh master Bryn Terfel, playing the wickedly comedic travelling doctor, thought by many to be amongst the finest singers the world over.
Donizetti’s typically beautiful score belies the fact he wrote it in a hasty six weeks - its playful use of instruments manages to bolster the comedy whilst leaving room for moments of breathtaking beauty, most notably in the oft performed aria 'Una furtive lagrima' - the showcase of a rare musical gift. This craftsmanship, entwined with the feel-good flavour of Pelly’s production, promise to make L’elisir a perfect antidote to the looming autumn blues – get booking fast.