1. "The Elixir of Love" (L'elisir d'amore) is a two-act opera composed by Gaetano Donizetti based on the libretto by Felice Romani. (Metropolitan Opera, 1991)

Unlike musicals, operas are mostly sung in incomprehensible Italian, and many are based on classical works, making them seem less accessible. To help audiences enjoy opera more easily, Mam & I has planned an opera series. Under the direction of conductor Lee Byung-Hyun, who is active with the music nonprofit organization CAMERATA NEW JERSEY, let's take a step closer to opera in 2021 and enrich our cultural lives. A romantic comedy that spreads joy! Donizetti's opera, "The Elixir of Love" Written by Lee Byung-Hyun / Ben Byung-Hyun Rhee

2. Diana Damrau as Adina and Juan Diego Flórez as Nemorino. (Metropolitan Opera, 1991)

3. The aria "Una furtiva lagrima" sung by Nemorino in Act II is particularly famous. (Pavarotti)

"The Elixir of Love" is an opera that warms the heart and makes you want to fall in love. This work is Donizetti's 41st composition, completed in just six weeks when he was 31 years old, and it premiered on May 12, 1832, at the Canobbiana Theatre in Milan. Composer Gaetano Donizetti is a gem of a composer who, along with Rossini and Bellini, led the Italian bel canto opera era of the 1800s. Born as the youngest son in a poor family with no connection to music, he stumbled into music lessons with a local priest and later attended the Bologna Conservatory, becoming a junior to Rossini. In his youth, he was overshadowed by Rossini, the leading composer of the time and his school senior, but after Rossini retired from composing operas, Donizetti began to gain recognition for his own unique style. He composed over 70 operas in his lifetime, and among them, "The Elixir of Love," "The Daughter of the Regiment," "Don Pasquale," and "Lucia di Lammermoor" remain staples in renowned opera houses worldwide, beloved by many opera fans.

"The Elixir of Love" is a fun and delightful comic opera. The story revolves around the poor and naive young villager Nemorino (Tenor), who is in love with the beautiful and popular landowner Adina (Soprano), and his rival, the boastful soldier Belcore (Baritone), along with the traveling quack Dulcamara (Bass), who complicates Nemorino's pursuit of Adina.

Young and poor farmer Nemorino has long been in love with the beautiful landowner Adina. At this time, the soldier Belcore proposes to Adina, but she hesitates to give a clear answer. Nemorino wonders if she is holding back because of him and bravely confesses his feelings, but the perceptive Adina dismisses him, telling him to go care for his sick uncle. She is weighing her options between Belcore and Nemorino. At this moment, the traveling con artist Dulcamara arrives in town, and Nemorino spends all his savings to buy a love potion from him. Although he feels uneasy that Adina seems to be falling for Belcore, he firmly believes the potion will work after one day, as promised by the quack. Filled with thoughts of Adina falling in love with him, Nemorino provocatively sings a song while pretending to ignore her: "Just wait. You will fall for me!"

However, the truth about this love potion is that it is actually cheap wine! There is no magical effect. Nemorino is just drunk and causing a scene. Meanwhile, Adina, feeling slighted, impulsively tells Belcore that she will marry him in a week. Despite this, Nemorino remains blissfully unaware, trusting that the potion's effects will manifest the next day. But fate intervenes when Belcore receives sudden orders to move his regiment, and he proposes to Adina to marry that very day, which she accepts. Desperate, Nemorino pleads, "Can't you wait just until tomorrow? Did it have to be this way?" Unable to wait for the potion's effects to kick in, he rushes back to Dulcamara, hoping that drinking another bottle will amplify the effects. The merchant seizes the opportunity, saying, "The price has gone up, so come back when you have more money."

Disheartened by his lack of funds, Nemorino is approached by Belcore, who tempts him with a signing bonus for joining the army. After much deliberation, he signs up and receives the money to buy a second love potion. Meanwhile, Adina learns from Dulcamara that Nemorino is willing to join the army to win her love, which touches her deeply. Tears stream down her face as she reflects on her previous behavior. Seeing this, Nemorino feels that the "potion" is finally working and sings the famous tenor aria "Una furtiva lagrima."

After retrieving Nemorino's enlistment contract from Belcore, Adina returns it to him and confesses her regrets. Feeling guilty, she bids him farewell, but Nemorino does not accept it. Ultimately, the two confirm their love for each other, and the story concludes with a happy ending, where they live happily ever after with children.

I hope you enjoyed this time, and I look forward to seeing you next month with a new opera. 
*CAMERATA NEW JERSEY Cultural Foundation website: https://www.cameratanewjersey.org
*Conductor Lee Byung-Hyun's YouTube channel (search for "New York Conductor Oppa"): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSm7dpnzSb_NLeaRr085YQ?view_as=subscriber

Lee Byung-Hyun / Ben Byung-Hyun Rhee
He made his conducting debut while studying at the Eastman School of Music and completed his graduate studies at Manhattan School of Music. He served as the principal conductor of the Chungnam Symphony Orchestra and the associate conductor of the New Jersey State Opera, and he has conducted the Nashville Symphony in Tennessee. He has received awards such as the Bruno Walter Conducting Award and the Friedman Conducting Competition Performance Award, and he is currently the music director and conductor of the CAMERATA NEW JERSEY Cultural Foundation.