L’Élisir d’amore – OperaUpClose

Donizetti’s enchanting comic opera about devotion, stupidity and love is updated (upgraded?) to Hollywood. It comes with a witty new English translation, a delightful David Hockney inspired set and a cut-down (refined) score for clarinet and single violin, directed from the piano with instinctive comic timing by John Gibbons (known locally for his great work with the Worthing Symphony Orchestra).

Although each performer is a gifted soloist, they shone even more as an ensemble, giving clarity to Donizetti’s florid, complex patter songs and poignancy to those moments of pathos, all neatly bound together in Valentina Ceschi’s inventive and funny direction.

Connaught Theatre, Worthing, 25 September 2013
Rating:
Andrew Connal