The Elixir of Love (L'elisir d'amore) by Donizetti will be performed at the Times Union Center’s Moran Theater on February 5, 2011. One of the 20 most performed operas in the United States; it is a simple story of a man (Nemorino) smitten with a woman (Adina) in a station above his. The man is beguiled by a travelling salesman (Dulcamara), who offers some rancid wine as an elixir of love. 
Before the potion can take effect, the object of his love is offered a proposal of marriage by a sergeant (Belcore). She accepts the sergeant’s proposal, although in a subsequent interaction between Adina and Nemorino suggests that she has feelings for him. As he is waiting for the potion to take effect, he acts indifferently toward Adina. The sergeant suggests that they move the wedding up to the following day, and Adina, in response to Nemorino’s indifference, agrees.The following day, there is a wedding banquet. While awaiting the arrival of the notary, Adina frets over Nemorino’s absence. Meanwhile, Nemorino appears after she exits the set and asks Dulcamara for more potion. Dulcamara refuses as Nemorino has no more money. Upon hearing that Nemorino is in search of money, Belcore offers Nemorino an enlistment bonus to join the military. Nemorino accepts and uses the money to purchase more elixir.
Meanwhile, most of the town learns that Nemorino has inherited a large sum from an uncle. Suddenly women are acting very friendly to him. He sees it as proof that the potion is working. After finding out from Dulcamara that Nemorino has used all his money to buy potions to try to win Adina’s affections, Adina shows up, saying that she has purchased his military contract and that if he chooses not to go, he will no longer be sad. They drag it out, but she finally confesses her (mutual) love for him, and they live happily ever after. Belcore muses that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and Dulcamara sees Belcore as a potential mark…
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