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| L'elisir d'amore- Alberghini-Camarena® Antoni Bofill |
The
poaching hunches of the artistic heart of Gaetano Donizetti fell drop by drop
upon the dresses carved and patterned by Mario Gas to fashion of the forties.
When the aria Una furtiva lagrima
poured into the ears of the audience at the Barcelona’s Liceu vibrating in the
voice of tenor Javier Camarena, all led to a succession of enthusiastic bravos. Undoubtedly this feeling of exquisite
experience is the only possible description of the premiere of L'elisir d'amore under the musical
direction of Daniele Gallegari and Mario Gas as stage director.
We
are in a local yard of the suburban and Fascist Italy of the early forties, far
away from the rural atmosphere of the original libretto from the nineteenth-century romanticism in which the work
was conceived. Thus, Mario Gas takes Donizetti’s spirit to a dance with the
referents of Italian neorealism cinema, as Vittorio de Sica, Federico Fellini
and Luchino Visconti, among others. At any time you have the feeling of
arriving to hear Renato Carosone’s Maruzzella as a background, although the
atmosphere is something prior. Mario Gas vuole
fa l'italiano more contemporary what leads us much closer to the story.
L'elisir d'amore is an opera buffa premiered in Milan in
1832. It is the story of Nemorino, a poor and timid young man who to get Adina’s
love, played on this occasion by soprano Nicole Cabell, rich and whimsical,
decides to use the services of the charlatan Dulcarama and his elixir of love.
It is certainly one of the most popular operas in history, especially the
aforementioned aria Una furtiva lagrima,
at the second act, in which the character Nemorino sings he is convinced that
his love for Adina is finally requited.
Its music is vibrant and melodic, walking along the energetic but
stopping at sentimental moments, giving the inevitable swing of drama and
comedy in a story in which class differences and comic characters as the
charlatan intermingle as in everyday life. So the tone of popular and festive
music is very present, something that fits perfectly well in the neighborhood
playground designed by Mario Gas for this version.
The
cast is splendid indeed. Javier Camarena in the role of Nemorino lives
intensely this walk along the tragicomedy of the character. Nicole Cabell gives
beautifully a whimsical tone to the character of Adina. Especially comical and
earning the unconditional favor of the audience, bass baritone Simone
Alberghini plays brilliantly his role as the charlatan Dulcarama, like the
baritone Àngel Òdena the arrogance of military fascist who aims to Adina. A
delight for the senses.
Text by Juan Carlos Romero
L'elisir d'amore
An opera in two acts composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto written by Felice Romani
Musical direction by Daniele Callegari
Stage direction by Mario Gas
Scenography by Marcelo Grande
Cast
Javier Camarena, Nicole Cabell, Àngel Òdena, Simone Alberghini, Rolando Villazón, Aleksandra Kurzak, Joan Martín-Royo, Ambrogio Maestri, Cristina Obregón and others.
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu
Produced by Gran Teatre del Liceu
Photo L'elisir d'amore- Alberghini-Camarena® Antoni Bofill
Courtesy of Gran Teatre del Liceu
All rights reserved