The Elixir Of Love Enchants In Contra Costa

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The quest for a magic love potion has been going on since time began, immortalized through the ages in story, song and even opera.

Gaetano Donizetti added his interpretation to mix with his 1832 comic masterpiece, "The Elixir of Love," and paid homage to the trope by having his lead female character sing an aria about Tristan and Isolde, whose fateful love affair began when they accidentally drank said potion, in the very first act.

Walnut Creek-based Festival Opera is offering up free open-air productions of this frothy delight in two East Bay locations this week, beginning with the 6 p.m. Thursday performance at Orinda Community Park and ending with the 4 p.m. repeat on Sunday at Walnut Creek Civic Park.

Tenor Spencer Greene stars as the lovestruck rustic Nemorino, and soprano Marielle Leiboff is the witty - and wealthy - damsel Adina that Nemorino fears he cannot win without the liquid enhancement. His rival is the braggart Sergeant Belcore, sung by baritone Liam Daley; and baritone Igor Vieira fills the role of Dulcamara, the quack who delivers the title elixir.

For more information, visit festivalopera.org.

By Bay City News
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