On Friday, October 22 and Sunday, October 24 Kentucky Opera will present Donizetti’s Italian romp, THE ELIXIR OF LOVE at the Brown Theatre. Conducted by Kentucky Opera’s new music director, Joseph Mechavich and introducing a native star, Emily Albrink for her Kentucky Opera debut. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, the opera in two acts premiered at the Teatro dell Canobbiana, Milan in 1832 and was last performed by Kentucky Opera in 1997.

Kentucky Opera is offering pro-rated subscriptions to the remainder of the season (to include MADAME BUTTERFLY on November 19 & 21) ranging from $54 - $135 and are available by calling 502.584.4500 or by visiting KYOpera.org. Single tickets range from $30 - $80 and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or by visiting KYOpera.org.

This was the Audience Choice winner from 2008. Voting was open at each of the opera productions for one dollar per vote. All were encouraged to vote early and often. THE ELIXIR OF LOVE won over THE TURN OF THE SCREW and LA PERICHOLE.

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE tells the story of a loveable bumpkin, a dashing sergeant and the bewitching town flirt. Filled with light-hearted charm and bursting with feel-good laughs, THE ELIXIR OF LOVE features effervescent Italian melodies and plenty of bel canto vocal fireworks.

Dr. Dulcamara has the cure for what ails you… for the right price. When the good doctor sells the love-sick Nemorino a “magic elixir” to woo the young beauty Adina from Belcore, fate intervenes and, in fine buffa fashion, his love is finally requited. Elixir is a heartfelt and joyous opera that will leave you believing in destiny!

Elixir of Love Cast
Conductor: Joe Mechavich (Of Mice and Men 2009)
Director: Dorothy Danner (Daughter of the Regiment 2001)

Adina: Emily Albrink*
Belcore: Chad Sloan (Zaretsky, Eugene Onegin 2005)
Nemorino: Victor Ryan Robertson*
Dulcamara: Peter Strummer

Supporting Events:

Lunch & Listen
Wednesday October 6, 12pm
Louisville Public Media Performance Studio
619 South 4th Street
Lunch & reservations recommended 502.584.4500
Listen live at Classical 90.5FM WUOL
A collaboration with Louisville Public Media and WUOL, David Roth hosts this live radio program which features musical excerpts from THE ELIXIR OF LOVE along with interviews and commentaries from the cast. A small studio audience is welcome please call 502.585.9402 by Monday, October 4 for lunch reservations.

Sights & Sounds
Sunday, October 10, 1:30pm
Speed Museum Auditorium
Partnering with the Speed Art Museum, both groups tie THE ELIXIR OF LOVE to a similar theme with visual arts and music. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Opera Previews
Friday, October 22, 7pm
Sunday, October 24, 2pm
ArtSpace Rehearsal Hall
323 West Broadway, 2nd Floor
One hour before each opera, these lectures give highlights and themes to watch and listen for in THE ELIXIR OF LOVE.

Opera Talk Back
Sunday, October 24 approximately 5pm
ArtSpace Rehearsal Hall
323 West Broadway, 2nd Floor
Immediately following the Sunday performance, members of the opera cast, music director Joe Mechavich and General Director David Roth lead an open forum about THE ELIXIR OF LOVE and the operatic experience answering questions from the audience.

Suggested Listening:
Kentucky Opera Preview podcast KYOpera.org/Elixir

Donizetti: L’ELISIR D’AMORE (1989) featuring Luciano Pavarotti, Kathleen Battle, Enzo Dara, Leo Nucci Conducted by James Levine.

Currently in its 58th season of production, Kentucky Opera was founded in 1952 and designated the State Opera of Kentucky in 1982. The mission of Kentucky Opera is to entertain and educate a broad, diverse audience by producing opera of the highest quality.