The Findhorn Bay Festival 2016 will close on a magnificent high with Scottish Opera’s new production of Donizetti’s gorgeously sunny comic opera The Elixir of Love.
Dynamic young British director Oliver Platt and designer Oliver Townsend (Rodelinda, 2013) take their inspiration from the world of P.G. Wodehouse in a cheeky, vividly characterised show with its tongue firmly in its cheek.
Nemorino is hopelessly in love with Adina but she’s out of his league. Threatened by the arrival of the swaggering Sergeant Belcore, Nemorino enlists the help of quack doctor, Dulcamara. Believing he’s drinking a magic love potion (suspiciously similar to cheap red wine) he’s delighted when the village girls begin to swarm around him. But is it the potion, or the rumour that Nemorino has inherited a large pile of cash from his uncle that has them all of a flutter?
The lively and lyrical score sees Donizetti at his best, from the beauty of Una furtiva lagrima to the fun of Dulcamara’s patter songs. The cast includes Ellie Laugharne, Welsh tenor Elgan Llyr Thomas and acclaimed baritone James Cleverton. They are accompanied by five players from The Orchestra of Scottish Opera in a new instrumental arrangement by Scottish Opera’s Head of Music, Derek Clark.
Online booking closes at midnight before the show.