Last performed in 2005
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Synopsis
Act I, Scene 1—Adina's picnic
Nemorino, a shy and simple young man, is in love with Adina, a wealthy landowner; but the fickle Adina rejects his advances. The curtain rises on a picnic at Adina's estate. She is reading about the legendary love potion which united the knight Tristan and the princess Isolde with an undying love. Amused, she shares the story with her friends; however, she secretly laments that she will never know what was in that magic brew. The braggart Sergeant Belcore arrives with his troops and at once begins to court Adina. Flattered, Adina turns aside his hasty proposal of marriage but does return his attentions. Later, Nemorino approaches Adina and begs her to return his love, but in vain. Adina urges him to take care of his rich old uncle and to forget his love for her.
Act I, Scene 2—The town square
Dr. Dulcamara, a traveling medicine man, arrives and is hailed by the people of the town. He persuades them that his potions cure almost anything. Remembering Adina's story about the magic love potion of Tristan and Isolde, Nemorino asks the doctor about the elixir of love. Always eager to make a profit, the doctor sells Nemorino one of his bottles as the magic elixir and claims it will take effect in one day. Now assured that Adina will soon love him, Nemorino foolishly ignores her. To punish him in return, Adina flirts with Belcore. When the news arrives that Belcore must return to his garrison, Adina impulsively consents to marry him and invites everyone, including Nemorino, to her engagement party. Nemorino, now in despair, begs her to reconsider, but to no avail.
Act II, Scene 1—Adina's party
Amid the celebration, Adina misses Nemorino. To please her guests, she sings a duet with Dr. Dulcamara about a simple girl who refuses a wealthy suitor because of her love for a poor young man. When the notary arrives, Adina goes into the house to sign the engagement contract. Nemorino arrives and pleads with the doctor for another bottle of elixir. When the doctor learns that Nemorino is penniless, he refuses. Meanwhile, inside the house Adina has reconsidered and tells Belcore to delay the engagement. Mumbling about the fickleness of all women, Belcore walks outside and discovers his rival, Nemorino. When he learns that Nemorino needs money, Belcore shrewdly recruits Nemorino into the army for twenty dollars. Thus, Belcore signs a recruit and eliminates his rival. Armed with the twenty dollars, Nemorino rushes off to buy more elixir.
Act II, Scene 2—The town square
Giannetta, always eager to spread gossip, tells the women of the town that Nemorino's uncle has just died, leaving him all of his money. Nemorino enters and the women swarm around the newly rich bachelor. Overjoyed with their attentions, Nemorino believes that the elixir has finally taken effect. Adina and the doctor enter just in time to see Nemorino with the girls. Sensing Adina's love for Nemorino, Dr. Dulcamara offers to sell her the magic elixir. Adina declines, asserting that her feminine charms are all the elixir she will need to catch Nemorino. Nemorino returns and sings of his deep longing for Adina; but when she approaches, he feigns indifference. Adina then confesses that she has purchased his enlistment papers because she sincerely loves him. When Belcore enters and the street fills with people, the happy couple declare their love. Eager to take advantage of the situation, Dr. Dulcamara deftly attributes Nemorino's happiness and inheritance to the magic elixir of love.