Gaetano Donizetti is said to have written his Love Potion in a record 14 days in 1832 - a commissioned work for the Teatro alla Cannobiana in Milan, regularly performed at all the major houses and considered the prototype par excellence for the opera buffa genre. Pleasing motifs, singable melodies and Donizetti’s unmistakable humor, which repeatedly flashes from the score, are responsible for the tremendous and lasting success of this opera. The Italian masterpiece is also ideally suited for children, young people or opera beginners, since lightness, playfulness and the entertaining libretto drive the colorful hustle and bustle on stage in an entertaining and cheerful manner.
The action takes place in the countryside: Nemorino loves Adina, who in turn is flirting with the sergeant Belcore. To win Adina over, Nemorino seeks help from the quack Dulcamara. With Dulcamara’s love potion, Adina is supposed to fall in love with Nemorino... after numerous complications, charlatanry and winking ideas, there is a happy ending for the two young lovers. And every opera lover has one of the most romantic and beautiful tenor arias in his ear: Una furtiva lagrima.