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The Elixir of Love (Act 1, Scene 2), Italian Royal Theater

1839
Célestin François Nanteuil (French, 1813–1873) Printed by Caboche et Cie, Paris
L'Elisir d'Amor (The Elixir of Love), the popular comic opera by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848), was first performed in Milan in 1832 with Giuseppe Frezzolini playing the role of an itinerant medicine seller, Dr. Dulcamara (Dr. Sweetbitter). The opera tells the story of a simple young farmer, Nemorino, who learns of a rival's effort to woo the fair and wealthy Adina, and decides to purchase a love potion from Dr. Dulcamara. Although the elixir is simply a bottle of wine that makes him more drunk than lovable, Nemorino nonetheless succeeds in winning the affections of Adina.

Object Details

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